For Whom the Bells Fall: Metals from the C enote S agrado, C hichén I tzá

Bells of copper and copper alloys and gold–copper alloys were deposited in events at the C enote S agrado at C hichén I tzá, M exico during the site's primary occupation ( ad 750–1050) and in later centuries. Housed in three museums in the U nited S tates and M exico, bells (n = 38) were evaluated for traces of fabrication and alteration using V is– UV – IR optical microscopy. Bulk compositions were determined through p‐ ED ‐ XRF . Phases and compositional variation by depth were characterized through XRD and RBS . The technological styles of bell groups were ascribed to communities of metallurgical practice, from W est and C entral M exico to C osta R ica and P anama.