[Aztlan] The Maya Blue

[edgar loya]

The Maya Blue was a color used by the Maya to decorate various objects.
Here's an excerpt of the article:

"One of the most striking colours used was Maya Blue, a turquoise                    that resembles the surface of the Caribbean sea. Despite their                    age and the harsh weathering conditions, ceramics coloured by                    Maya Blue have not faded over the centuries. What is even more                    remarkable is that the colour is resistant to extremes of pH,                    chemical solvents, and biodegradation. The pigment is a mixture                    of both organic and inorganic ingredients - a natural clay,                    palygorskite, and a plant derivative, indigo. What is particularly                    surprising is that no known organic pigments show such stability.                    As a result, Maya Blue's chemical complexity and remarkable                    physical properties have attracted much scientific attention                    for over 50 years. Even though it is known how to manufacture                    the
 paint in the laboratory, the secrets to its stability remain                    a mystery, until now."

Address: http://www.accelrys.com/reference/cases/studies/maya.html