[Aztlan] Lime kiln question

[Mike Reed]

After checking out the photos and descriptions of the
Chalcatzingo lime kilns, I was impressed at the
variations in lime kiln technology in Mesoamerica,
considering that these stone-faced pits appeared to
have little in common with the wet-chaka log kilns
described by Tom Schreiner and others and shown in a
photograph in one of the discussion postings.  I had
the impression from Tom Schreiner's discussion that
Mesoamerican lime kilns were pretty much variations of
the free-standing log lime kilns.  Yet, the
Chalcatzingo lime kilns were described as more than
two meters deep and two meters wide and sunken into
the earth.  

I do not have an extensive understanding of
Mesoamerican lime kilns, but I can't help but wonder
how the ancient inhabitants of Chalcatzingo overcame
the problem of getting sufficient air flow into such
sunken pits to raise the temperature enough to
pulverize the limestone rocks.  There was no mention
of side vents and their were no signs of vents in the
one photo of a sunken lime kiln provided in the
article.  

Is it possible that these pits were mis-identified as
lime kilns by the authors?  By the way, I came upon
some identical-looking stone-lined pits on the back
side of the top of the main acropolis at Ek Balam in
2001 and puzzled over what they could be.  

Mike Reed




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