Pre-Mayan period pendant artifact approximately 4000 B.C.

The pear-shaped pendant was crafted from a light tan colored alumino-silicate based secondary rock. The front side is an almond shaped eye face carved into the surface with a small round circle (planet?) with a face in the wider, upper area of the pendant. A pattern of what appears to be cracking or lightning is carved in to the surface around the circle with the face.

On the back of the pendant is what appears to be a sitting aboriginal with headdress looking up at three round circles (planets), the far right one with carved cracking similar to the front side of the pendant, holding an almost alien-looking infant in its arms.

On the top end of the pendant is another carving of an alien-looking figure holding an alien-looking infant in its right arm?

Sample Dimensions: 2 1/2” (64 mm) x 1 3/4” (34 mm) x 5/8” (16 mm) thick
Sample Weight: 51.37 grams

Petrographic Observations

Wear of the Stone Surfaces – Nearly all surfaces of the artifact with the exception of the carved lines exhibit very smooth surfaces with extensive silt and dirt filled scratches running in various directions due to extensive polishing. The upper edges of the carved grooves exhibit significant rounding due to wear.

Secondary Mineral Deposits – The mostly dark gray-colored material in the carved lines and larger, deep grooves appears to be secondary weathering deposits of the jadeite.

Interpretations

1. The pendant was carved from a secondary alumino-silicate based rock.

2. The extensively rounded sharp upper edges of the carved grooves are consistent with wear suggesting significant age.

3. The dark-gray colored sediment within the carved grooves and polish scratches on the surface are consistent with the reported burial past of the artifact.

Test Procedures
Our petrographic observations were performed in accordance with ASTM: C856 procedures on October 17, 2012, and subsequent dates.

Remarks
The artifact will be returned to the Continental Coin & Jewelry or forwarded to wherever we are advised in writing by Continental Coin & Jewelry to ship the artifact. Test results and recommendations relate only to the item(s) tested. No warranty, express or implied is made.

Please contact the showroom for more details and the full PDF which contains the full history and testing on this piece.