Ethnomineralogy

Ethnomineralogy is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between minerals, rocks, and human cultures across time and space. It investigates how mineral resources are perceived, extracted, processed, traded, valued, and used within particular social, economic, and environmental contexts. The field draws on archaeology, anthropology, geology, mineralogy, art history, and museology to understand the material life of minerals and the cultural knowledge surrounding them.

Methodologies include laboratory analysis such as petrography and geochemical sourcing to identify material sources and composition, alongside ethnographic methods, archival research, and experimental replication. Ethnoarchaeology, use-wear analysis, and study of trade networks help link material findings to social practices and exchange systems. Researchers document production techniques, technological choices, and knowledge transfer among craftspeople and communities.

Topics include mining and metallurgical technologies, craft specialization, trade routes, and the valuation of materials (gemstones, pigments, metals) in different societies. Ethnomineralogy also examines symbolism, ritual uses, and display of minerals in art, religion, and social hierarchy. Environmental and social impacts of mineral economies, policy, resource governance, and sustainability are considered.

The approach emphasizes context and interpretation, aiming to reconstruct how minerals shape and are shaped by culture. Ethical considerations involve working with source communities, respecting traditional knowledge, and addressing issues of repatriation and benefit sharing. As a field, ethnomineralogy remains methodologically diverse and often collaborative, bridging natural and human sciences to illuminate the material dimensions of human culture.