Hohokam Indians of southern Arizona used acid etching to create seashell
ornaments some time between A.D. 850 and 1200:

http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/coll/smart3.shtml

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/1357826/92557/Shell-etched-with-a-horned-toad-motif-Hohokam-AD-900#tab=active~checked%2Citems~checked


I have heard that the period of manufacture of these artifacts was more
restricted, ca. A.D. 1000-1100, and that the Hohokam were the first people
in the world who used an acid etching technique to create art.

However, I seem to recall seeing a reference saying that acid etching was
used in China earlier than A.D. 1000.  Does anyone know of historical or
archaeological evidence that acid etching was used earlier than these
Hohokam examples?


Allen Dart, RPA, Executive Director
Old Pueblo Archaeology Center
PO Box 40577
Tucson AZ  85717-0577   USA
    520-798-1201 office, 520-798-1966 fax
    Email: [log in to unmask]
    URL: www.oldpueblo.org
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