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Pueblo Indian drilling turquoise, New Mexico, USA
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Pueblo Indian drilling turquoise, New Mexico, USA
Pueblo Indian drilling turquoise for the making of necklaces, New Mexico, USA. Date: circa 1920
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Media ID 23143222
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This evocative black-and-white photograph captures the intense focus and skill of a Pueblo Indian man as he meticulously drills for turquoise in the rugged terrain of New Mexico, USA, around 1920. The Pueblo Indians, an indigenous people with a rich cultural heritage, have been extracting and working with turquoise for centuries, using it to create intricately designed jewelry and other crafts. The man in the image wears traditional clothing, including boots and a headscarf, as he sits cross-legged on the ground, his tools of the trade spread out around him. The drill bit, held in his right hand, is poised to strike the turquoise vein, while his left hand cradles a small mallet. The landscape behind him is arid and rocky, with the vast expanse of the desert stretching out in the distance. Turquoise, a precious gemstone prized for its distinctive blue hue, was highly valued by the Pueblo Indians for its spiritual significance as well as its aesthetic appeal. The process of extracting the gemstone was a labor-intensive and time-consuming one, requiring great skill and patience. The men would drill into the rock, carefully extracting the turquoise nodules, which were then cut, polished, and fashioned into beautiful necklaces, bracelets, and other adornments. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the daily life and traditions of the Pueblo Indians during the 1920s, a time when their way of life was rapidly changing due to the encroachment of modernity and industrialization. It is a poignant reminder of the deep connection between the Pueblo people and the land, and the enduring importance of their ancient crafts and traditions.
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