[Aztlan] New method for sourcing Maya pottery

[michael ruggeri]

Listeros,

Scientists now have geochemical clues about the volcanic ash used in  
Maya pottery between 800-1100 CE. The Maya used volcanic ash and clay  
to make pottery and the ash was freshly erupted. Tons of ash for the  
pottery at El Pilar had to be hauled there from a great distance  
since the ash at El Pilar was too old and degraded for use. The ash  
used for pottery at El Pilar is 78% silica while the El Chichon  
volcano, suggested by some as the source for pottery at El Pilar,  
spews ash of 58% silica. Researchers will now look at other volcanos  
in the area to find the source of the ash in pottery from El Pilar.  
By utilizing this method, researchers can find the ash source for  
Maya pottery at other sites.

Science News has the story here;

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/37338/title/ 
Origins_of_Maya_pottery_material_remain_mysterious

A tiny URL;

http://tinyurl.com/4u9fkn

Mike Ruggeri


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