Necklace c. 200

This necklace was crafted by the Colima people of Mexico, using stone. As an object, jewelry gives us a direct connection to the values and social structure of its culture. The green beads were likely highly prized, perhaps representing fertility, life, or status. The necklace can tell us much about the social hierarchies in the region and the access to precious resources. It is important to remember that the Colima were a pre-Columbian society, flourishing in Western Mexico from around 300 BCE to 300 CE, with the absence of metal tools indicating intricate craftsmanship and an understanding of material properties. To understand this necklace better, archaeological reports, ethnographies, and analyses of trade routes would be invaluable. These would help shed light on the place of these objects within the larger society and culture. This way, we can begin to see the necklace not just as a beautiful object but as a key to understanding the world of the Colima.