New method for sourcing Maya pottery
Mike R
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_May
a_pottery_material_remain_mysterious
A tiny URL;
Mike Ruggeri
Mike Ruggeri's Maya World
http://tinyurl.com/ypkq2v
Mike Ruggeri's Maya Archaeology News and Links
http://community-2.webtv.net/Topiltzin-2091/MIkeRuggerisMaya/