Blade runners

Genie Robinson, a Tulane alumna and archaeologist, sorts obsidian blades from the palace area of Utatlan, Guatemala. Each blade is measured, weighed, geographically sourced, and the collection is photographed. The data will help archaeologists track the exchange of obsidian, a common cutting tool in the late Postclassic period (1200-1500 A.D.). Robinson is collaborating with the Middle American Research Institute to make this material accessible to other scholars.