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DISCOVERY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN UNKNOWN BLUE‐GREEN MAYA PIGMENT: VESZELYITE*
Author(s) -
GARCIA MORENO R.,
MATHIS F.,
MAZEL V.,
DUBUS M.,
CALLIGARO T.,
STRIVAY D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00370.x
Subject(s) - polychrome , pigment , characterization (materials science) , maya , scanning electron microscope , energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy , mineralogy , materials science , zinc phosphate , art , archaeology , zinc , chemistry , metallurgy , nanotechnology , geography , visual arts , composite material
Blue‐green mosaic and polychrome masks and funerary offerings from the royal tombs of Calakmul, Mexico, were analysed by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and particle induced X‐ray emission (PIXE). This led to the first identification of the use of veszelyite, a rare hydrated copper‐zinc phosphate, as green pigment. Analyses of a geological sample of this mineral have been done to confirm the characterization of this Mayan pigment, which might help determine pre‐Columbian trade routes of precious and luxury objects in the ancient Maya Classic period (ad 250–800).