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Hitting Rock Bottom

How Obsidian rocks shaped history

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Samantha Hunt
December 7th, 2014
Dr. Kiowa Bower
Big History, FYE 2000 Section 1

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The most crucial moment in time, the moment that is key in deciphering how all things
came to be, is the Big Bang. Everything that is present in current society all originated from this
same exact moment in history. The Big Bang was an explosion that kicked off the creation of the
universe in eight different steps, or thresholds. When the universe was first created about 13.67
billion years ago, it was extremely hotthe temperature ways so high that there was no way to
sustain life or even complex elements (Christian, Brown, and Benjamin). However, as the
universe expanded, it cooled continuously. The process of cooling, expanding, and creating the
universe mirrors the process of creating an obsidian rock.
The matter starts as lava, and is too hot to form a solid structure. But, as the lava cools,
the atoms condense and form the rock (Pellant). Hydrogen and Helium also began to form after
the universe is created, and are subsequently elements at the core of all matter. So, naturally it
makes sense that hydrogen and helium, along with other more complex particles, are present in
the obsidian rock. Obsidian rocks are composited primarily of silicon dioxide, which was created
as a result of the big bang (Obsidian). In fact, all of the elements that are in obsidian, from the
silicon dioxide to water, were created from goldilocks conditions and increasing complexity,
courtesy of the big bang. In order to better discuss and understand an obsidian rock and its many
uses, it is necessary to delve into the separate thresholds and dissect each ones individual
connection with this igneous stone.
The second threshold focuses on galaxies, the creation of elements, and the formation of
stars. There are three main conditions that are crucial in the formation of stars: gravity, matter, in
the form of hydrogen and helium in this case, and the different distributions of this matter
(Christian, Brown, and Benjamin).

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The same conditions are necessary of for the formation of obsidian rocks. Gravity creates small
variations of density, and the elements, including hydrogen and helium (plus more complex
elements derived from these) condense to form the rock. For an obsidian rock, the elements of
increasing complexity consist of high levels of silicon dioxide. Threshold three, the creation of
complex elements, is especially crucial in the creation of obsidian. Obsidian has a high silicon
dioxide (silica) content; silica is a complex element, meaning the process of creating new
elements would have needed to be completed in various different stages in order to form it. The
entire process of creating complex elements happens quite rapidly, which mirrors the process of
creating a piece of obsidian. Obsidian rocks are formed when molten lava cools rapidly. The lava
cools so rapidly in fact, that it does not allow for crystallization, but instead a smooth, glassy
composition and structure. This also relates back to goldilocks conditions, as an obsidian rock
can only be formed when the molten lava has cooled enough for the elements to bond.
Threshold four focuses on the solar system and the creation of Earth, which is where a
large portion of relevance surrounding obsidian rocks lies. When the solar system and planets
formed, balls of matter clustered together, orbiting around until solidified. This is how the Earth
was created; the creation of the Earth is essentially the creation of obsidian, because the different
elements of the Earth make up the obsidian rock composition. It is the third stage of threshold
fourplate tectonics and the Earths atmosphere, where obsidian rock is derived from. Obsidian
is a volcanic igneous rock, meaning it is a product of lava from a volcano. During the early
stages of the Earth, the surface was almost completely volcanic. The Earth was most likely too
hot for lava to cool enough obsidian to form at this point.

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However, plate tectonics allowed for divergent boundaries, which created volcanos. As the
Earths atmosphere cooled, the lava could cool and form the obsidian rocks. While the first
volcanoes were existent underwater, obsidian actually has a very low water component, meaning
conditions beneath the surface we most likely not suitable to allow for obsidian to form.
According to the article Obsidian, ocean circulation played, and still plays, a heavy role in the
creation of volcanoes, which in turn create obsidian rocks in partnership with plate tectonics.
Plate tectonics are large sections of the Earths crust. When the plate tectonics in the Earth move,
whether submerging or diverging, and volcanoes above the surface form, obsidian is created.
Another important element of creating obsidian is its ability to oxidize. The composition of
obsidian, having a high silica composition, allows for the elements within to oxidize, which
simultaneously hardens the rock and creates a glassy texture. This means that the planet would
have needed to have grown complex enough to allow for diverse elements such as oxygen to
form.
Threshold five focuses on the emergence of life. The obsidian rock is a nonliving
organism, as it is naturally formed rock. The biosphere affects the obsidian rock because it is
crystalized after it has left the volcano, meaning it is mixed with elements like oxygen and
carbon dioxide. The main element of obsidian, silica, can effect the biosphere if left in its
gaseous state, because it is a deadly toxin. The emergence of life, however, mirrors the different
types of obsidian, and its increasing complexity. Life started as a very different image than what
may be traditionally assumed. Instead of massive beasts roaming the land or humans setting up
societies around the world, the first living organisms were tiny little specks. Small, eukaryotic
cells, similar to bacteria, emerged as the earliest life forms in all of history. These organisms

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survived in the depths of the dark oceans, and it took these eukaryotic cells centuries to mutate
into beings that were complex enough to venture first into the lighter areas of the sea, and
eventually out of the ocean and onto land. These mutations, in combination with the idea of
increased complexity, are similar to the obsidian rock, as different composite structures allow it
to take different forms. One of the most complex and unique forms of obsidian is called the
rainbow obsidian (Obsidian). In place of the traditional black, shiny color, rainbow obsidian has
multiple colors within it, including shades of green, blue, and red. These unique mutations add
depth to obsidian, as do mutations with living organisms. As the complexity of these organisms
increases, the complexity and relevance of the obsidian rock increases as well, as it becomes an
important part of functioning society.
Threshold six focuses heavily on evolution and the human species. The reason the focus
shifts from all life and all of the universe to a specific species is that humans stand apart on many
different levels. Humans are the only species to evolve and adapt at such a complex level and
quick rate, and have the rare ability to think and process intellectually (lecture). This allows for a
special concept called collective learning, which means that humans have the ability to think and
survive as a group. This threshold is where the use of obsidian rocks comes into play more than
the actual composition of the stone. In threshold six, humans mostly functioned as hunters or
gatherers, using scavenging techniques to obtain food and traveling from land to land as opposed
to remaining sedentary. Humans utilized basic tools such as spears and arrows to hunt animals.
Obsidian rocks were likely present in high quantities, especially in and around volcanic regions.
According to the article entitled Obsidian Dating, obsidian can make a very fine point and
precise cut, so it is possible that homo sapiens used the rock as a spearhead for hunting smaller

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animals. This idea feeds into collective learning, because it involves using tools provided and
improving upon them in order to better function. These tools also helped improve productivity of
certain groups, as they could hunt and kill animals with a tool that is aimed for a precise hit. This
could create a surplus of food, which opens the door for opportunities of settlement.
Threshold seven also involves humans, and it focuses more on sedated societies and the
usage of agriculture. This is where the usage of obsidian rocks becomes more complex, because
societies start to value the rocks as more than igneous compositions. During the agricultural era,
societies became less focused on individual or immediate family survival ,and settled into
societies with systems to engage and connect entire communities. Trading and bartering became
more popular, because a surplus of a certain supply could be traded for another that was rare.
Igneous rocks, such as obsidian, were often used in various Meso American societies as means of
currency to trade with (Isaakidou). Back in agricultural times, obsidian was also thought to be a
special rock with certain healing powers, and was widely used in healing rituals in ancient
civilizations. This threshold is where humans started to give value to certain aspects of life.
Before, language was just a mixture of sounds; humans decided to give these sounds meaning,
similarly to how they decided to place a certain value on items like obsidian rocks, when before
they were simply a result of a volcanic oxidization process.
Threshold eight focuses on the modern revolution, the here and now. Obsidian has only a
few notable uses in the modern age. As mentioned earlier, the rock can cut very precise incisions,
and as a result is often used in certain surgical tools and medical objects. Obsidian, other than a
functional use, is a sort of treasure to certain children growing up in regions near volcanoes that
erupted in the past.

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I myself am from Redding, California, which is surrounded by two major volcanoes, Mt. Shasta
and Mt. Lassen. As a child, I remember seeing obsidian rocks lined on the windowsills of my
classrooms and learning about the significance and origin of obsidian. My favorite field trip was
up to the Shasta Caverns or hiking up Mt. Lassen, where obsidian rocks lined the trails, gleaming
in the warm sun. I also remember going out to the playgrounds during recess or lunch, partaking
in scavenger hunts with my classmates to see who could find the most obsidian or the biggest
rock. Finding a piece was rare, but when it happened, the student obtained bragging rights for the
rest of the week. These kinds of experiences add depth to education, which is what the modern
revolution focuses on: adding complexity, tangible understanding, and application to the world
that surrounds us.
It is somewhat uncertain whether or not obsidian will remain a useful tool in the near or
distant future. With technological advances happening so often, and the world continually
gaining complexity, it is not likely that an igneous rock will have great relevance in any major
areas. I predict obsidian will not be so much of an integral part of building societies, as it once
was during agricultural times, but more of a relic, a physical reminder of our humble beginnings,
dating all the way back to the big bang. If more volcanic eruptions take place, as they most likely
will, then obsidian will continue to be produced in abundant quantities. Unfortunately, the main
composition of obsidian, which is silica, is deadly to the environment, so mass natural
production of obsidian could potentially have harmful effects on the atmosphere, though it is not
probable. As aforementioned, obsidian will most likely continue to be a relic and a keepsake for
those who are interested in their own heritage.

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The entire history of the universe, and everything within the universe, began in one
moment, the Big Bang. Looking at a broken piece of obsidian, peering at its sleek, black surface
and running a finger over its glassy composite does not necessarily hint that the rock has the
same origin as the human observing it. Obsidian was created as a result of the beginning
thresholds, and later played a significant role in the emergence of life and the advancement of
human technology. One rock formed through the emergence of volcanoes, and kept being
produced through all the subsequent thresholds. Obsidian gave depth through agricultural
societies as a form of currency, and now gives depth to learning experiences.
Obsidian acts as a token of the worlds simple beginnings, and is a constant reminder of how
everyone and everything is connected by one common theme. We are all on this Earth, in this
universe, as a result of the Big Bang.

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Bibliography
"Archaeology/Anthropology: Obsidian Dating." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et
al. Vol. 7: 1960-1969. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec.
2014.
Christian, David, Cynthia Brown, and Craig Benjamin. Big History: Between Nothing and
Everything. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print.
Isaakidou, Valasia, and Peter Tomkins. Escaping the Labyrinth: The Cretan Neolithic in
Context. , 2008. Internet resource.
"Obsidian." World of Earth Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Vol. 2.
Detroit: Gale, 2003. 407. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.
Pellant, Chris, and Helen Pellant. Granite and Other Igneous Rocks. Milwaukee, Wis: Gareth
Stevens Pub, 2007. Print.
"Trade and Exchange." Ancient Europe, 8000 B.C. to A.D. 1000: Encyclopedia of the Barbarian
World. Ed. Peter Bogucki and Pam J. Crabtree. Vol. 1: The Mesolithic to Copper Age (c.
8000-2000 B.C.). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004. 65-71. Gale Virtual
Reference Library. Web. 6 Dec. 2014.

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