Ceremonial Obsidian Scalpel of the Flame-Speaker

This blade represents the pinnacle of Kethari obsidian technology — a scalpel so fine it was likely used in the Flame-Speaker's ceremonial bloodletting rituals. The precision required to produce such a thin edge suggests decades of training.

Inscription

Thal-un meren thul-an keth-na. Sha-an bel-esh thal-na. Keth-ari kin-na, ash-keth-na dun.

/θal.un meɾen θul.an keθ.na | ʃa.an bel.eʃ θal.na | keθ.aɾi kin.na aʃ.keθ.na dun/

Translation

“The great craftsman of obsidian burns. From the spirit, the blood-offering is shaped. The flame people see; darkness shall not burn.”

Interlinear Analysis(click to expand)

Form	Gloss	POS
thal-un	craft-AGT	noun
meren	great	adjective
thul-an	obsidian-GEN	noun
keth-na	burn-PRES	verb
sha-an	spirit-GEN	noun
bel-esh	blood.offering	noun
thal-na	craft-PRES	verb
keth-ari	flame.people	noun
kin-na	see-PRES	verb
ash-keth-na	NEG-burn-PRES	verb
dun	darkness	noun

Script: top-to-bottom, right-to-left

Description

An extraordinarily thin obsidian blade, pressure-flaked to a translucent edge measuring less than 0.3mm thick. The handle is wrapped in copper wire with a leather grip. Microscopic analysis reveals organic residue consistent with plant-based anesthetics, suggesting medical or ritual use. The blade quality exceeds anything achievable with modern hand-knapping techniques.

Scholarly Analysis(click to expand)

Trace element analysis confirms the obsidian source as the Serath Obsidian Shelf, the highest-quality volcanic glass deposit in the basin. The copper wire handle shows tin content of 8%, indicating mid-period Kethari bronze production. The organic residue matches compounds found in the bark of Ashenmere willow, a known local anesthetic still used in traditional medicine.

Provenance(click to expand)

discoverer: Dr. Helena Vasquez-Mori
discovery date: 2018-09-14
condition notes: Found in sealed obsidian box within temple storage chamber. Exceptional preservation due to anoxic conditions.
excavation team: Ashenmere Institute Field Team 3
discovery location: Temple District, Kethport, Stratum IV