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Archaeological ceramics, like other technofossils, are such an important part of the record of pre-Hispanic human impacts in southern Mexico and Central America, that they provide a measure by which we can try to define the Early Anthropocene on the continent (ca. 3000 - 1000 B.P.). This impact is also reflected in the use of raw materials for the...
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... of the less-described features in Maya ce- ramic petrography is the "heterogeneity" of fine components present in the ceramic matrix. Parts of these components were considered in the meth- odology proposed by Whitbread (1986), where the existence of mixed matrices in the same paste is evidence of a clay-tempered ceramic (inclusions of unfired clay which were introduced into the paste by the potter, Whitbread, 1986;Velde and Druc, 1999). Poor wedging of a mixture of clays may leave traces of textural and color variation in the matrix paste (Whitbread, 1986). The artificial heterogeneity created by mixing two or more clay sources in a wet plastic state produces features with irregular shapes and sometimes dif- fuse boundaries (Whitbread, 1986;Quinn, 2013), but the optical behavior of each "individual block" may denote a different origin. These aspects may imply the incorporation of argic, including luvic, horizons into the ceramic paste ( Figure 2a, b, c, ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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... presence of soil groundmass "blocks" under crossed polarizers may be due to an "immature state" in the paste arrangement (Krishnan and Shah, 2005;Maritan et al., 2005). The possibili- ty exists that the fine fraction of the ceramic may have been collected from surficial clay soil hori- zons, where organic matter generally accumulates; in ceramics such as those from Cerro de los Muer- tos, Campeche (Figure 2g), some relicts of typical A horizons were distinguishable as clay temper with granular microstructure (Figure 2h). Luvic horizons characterized by clay illuviation are observable in the form of "blocks" inside Ti- naja Red ceramic paste from Yaxchilán, Chiapas (Figure 2a, b). In a Luvisol, the illuviation produces clay coatings by the movement of those particles in an aqueous mediwhich gravity transfers from the higher soil horizons to the lower ones (Figure 2c, d). Sometimes, these coatings exhibit a typical con- figuration of microlamination infillings, which are hosted in porous regions. The optical behavior of the natural clay coatings presents extinction bands under crossed polarizers that extend through the microlaminated regions, and is independent of the optical response in the ceramic matrix. The pres- ence of reworked clay coatings is common where well-oriented clay is clearly visible, evidenced by birefringence and band extinction (Figure 2e, f). The fragmentation of the clay coatings is likely produced by the ceramic paste preparation. The clay illuviation over carbonates is another phenomenon described at the boundary between the soil profile and the underlying limestone (Bronger and Sedov, 2003;Merino and Banerjee, 2008;Cabadas-Báez et al., 2010b). Similar features were observed in Cerro de Los Muertos ceramics from Campeche (Figure 2i, j). Figures 2k and 2l show the phenomenon at the transition between a luvic horizon and the underlying limestone from Kantunilkin, Quintana Roo. Part of the added temper could have been taken from the lower soil horizons with influence from the carbonate par- ent material. Similar observations were reported by Gillot (2014) in Maya mortars from Río Bec, Campeche, with the presence of "argillaceous grains" (that include carbonate in their ...
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The current epoch, known as the Anthropocene, is characterized by significant human impact on the global ecological system, including altered species survival and distribution patterns due to global warming resulting from industrialization. Accurately quantifying and assessing the extent of human impact on the environment is of utmost importance. T...
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... However, with the introduction of 3D modeling technology, designers can accurately plan every detail of a ceramic work before production. This not only greatly improves the efficiency and success of the work but also allows designers to experiment with more complex and innovative designs [11][12][13]. With the help of 3D modeling techniques, ceramic artists can design highly creative works on the computer and realize these designs through 3D printing and other means [14][15][16]. ...
This paper is based on the research of visual shell related technology of 3D modeling method to extract the corresponding points of the graphical shell, through matching, filtering and denoising operations, to obtain the accurate 3D visualization model and provide new creative ideas and paths for contemporary ceramic art. In the actual ceramic membrane visualization feature extraction, six feature quantities of ceramic membrane, namely, area, aspect ratio, area perimeter, circularity, diagonal length, and angular second-order moments, can be obtained. The application of the visualization technique proposed in this paper to teaching ceramic production art was assessed by the performance of the knowledge answer questions. Regarding the average score, the experimental group (75.5) performed significantly better than the control group (63.6). Significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in mental rotation (P=0.03<0.05), spatial visualization (P=0.006<0.05), and spatial reasoning skills (F=6.98, P=0.014<0.05). However, the two groups had no significant difference in spatial orientation (P=0.13>0.05). This suggests that the immersive learning environment of visualization technology can significantly enhance learners’ spatial reasoning skills, mental rotation, and spatial orientation.
... Friesem, Wattez, and Onfray 2017;Ogloblin Ramírez et al. 2020), floor plasters and mortars(Matthews 2010) and ceramics(De Paepe et al. 2003;Kreiter et al. 2014;Cabadas-Báez et al. 2018). In such cases, part of the taphonomical history can securely be reconstructed in thin ...
... When the same particles were irradiated by cross-polarized light, the interference colors of most of the particles resembled their natural colors, and this can be attributed to a moderate to high degree of isotropy. In the case of the material collected at the Obispado station, the spherical and spheroidal particles rich in Si and Al acquired a white-colored tone at the hit of cross-polarized light, which may have been due to the presence of phyllosilicates [49]. At the Santa Catarina station, abundant white and colorless particles were recorded, possibly associated with CaCO3. ...
In this work, the particulate matter (PM) from three different monitoring stations in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area in Mexico were investigated for their compositional, morphological, and optical properties. The main aim of the research was to decipher the different sources of the particles. The methodology involved the ex situ sequential analysis of individual particles by three analytical techniques: scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS). The microanalysis was performed on samples of total suspended particles. Different morphologies were observed for particles rich in the same element, including prismatic, spherical, spheroidal, and irregular morphologies. The sequential microanalysis by SEM-EDS/PLM/MRS revealed that Fe-rich particles with spherical and irregular morphologies were derived from anthopogenic sources, such as emissions from the metallurgical industry and the wear of automobile parts, respectively. In contrast, Fe-rich particles with prismatic morphologies were associated with natural sources. In relation to carbon (C), the methodology was able to distinguish between the C-rich particles that came from different anthopogenic sources—such as the burning of fossil fuels, biomass, or charcoal—and the metallurgical industry. The optical properties of the Si-rich particles depended, to a greater extent, on their chemical composition than on their morphology, which made it possible to quickly and accurately differentiate aluminosilicates from quartz. The methodology demonstrated in this study was useful for performing the speciation of the particles rich in different elements. This differentiation helped to assign their possible emission sources.
... When the same particles were irradiated by cross-polarized light, the interference colors of most of the particles resembled their natural colors, and this can be attributed to a moderate to high degree of isotropy. In the case of the material collected at the Obispado station, the spherical and spheroidal particles rich in Si and Al acquired a white-colored tone at the hit of cross-polarized light, which may have been due to the presence of phyllosilicates [49]. At the Santa Catarina station, abundant white and colorless particles were recorded, possibly associated with CaCO3. ...
In this work, the particulate matter (PM) from three different monitoring stations in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area in Mexico were investigated for their compositional, morphological, and optical properties. The main aim of the research was to decipher the different sources of the particles. The methodology involved the ex situ sequential analysis of individual particles by three analytical techniques: scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS). The microanalysis was performed on samples of total suspended particles. Different morphologies were observed for particles rich in the same element, including prismatic, spherical, spheroidal, and irregular morphologies. The sequential microanalysis by SEM-EDS/PLM/MRS revealed that Fe-rich particles with spherical and irregular morphologies were derived from anthopogenic sources, such as emissions from the metallurgical industry and the wear of automobile parts, respectively. In contrast, Fe-rich particles with prismatic morphologies were associated with natural sources. In relation to carbon (C), the methodology was able to distinguish between the C-rich particles that came from different anthopogenic sources-such as the burning of fossil fuels, biomass, or charcoal-and the metallur-gical industry. The optical properties of the Si-rich particles depended, to a greater extent, on their chemical composition than on their morphology, which made it possible to quickly and accurately differentiate aluminosilicates from quartz. The methodology demonstrated in this study was useful for performing the speciation of the particles rich in different elements. This differentiation helped to assign their possible emission sources.
... La aplicación de herramientas geológicas y edafológicas como la petrografía y la micromorfología en problemáticas arqueológicas ha desarrollado sus fundamentos a partir de varios ejes de investigación dentro de los cuales destacan: la aplicación de estudios petrográficos enfocados en la caracterización de componentes geológicos de materiales gruesos, los cuales han tenido como principal objetivo la discriminación entre materiales foráneos y locales, así como para el estudio del manejo y transformación de los mismos (Sean Quinn, 2013). Por otro lado, la petrografía y micromorfología también han servido a aquellos estudios donde se comparan datos edafológicos con materiales geológicos para la localización de bancos de materias primas (Cabadas-Báez et al., 2017;Wieder y Adan-Bayewitz, 1999;Guerrero, 2014). Finalmente, son ejemplo de ello los estudios etnográficos aplicados a la producción cerámica, donde el estudio de materias primas utilizando micromorfología y petrografía han trazado ya un camino metodológico fiable ( Por su parte, el análisis por cadenas operatorias en cerámica implica el conocimiento de las etapas mínimas de dicho proceso y el reconocimiento de las huellas plasmadas en el material relacionadas con cada una de éstas. ...
... Este enfoque micromorfológico se aplicó también a las láminas delgadas de cerámica con el objetivo de identificar microestructuras que se relacionaran directamente con el yacimiento de materia prima, particularmente con los suelos. Con ello se pudieron identificar microestructuras de suelo como cutanes de arcilla o los fragmentos de estos conocidos como pápulas (Cabadas-Báez, 2017;Stoops, 2003). Así, las preguntas que direccionaron la aplicación de dichos análisis fueron: ¿La cerámica Xajay deriva de una producción local o se trata de productos exógenos?, ¿cuál es la ubicación de las fuentes de las materias primas?, ¿cuál es la composición mineralógica de la cerámica Xajay?, ¿qué componentes del material cerámico pueden considerarse naturales (procedentes del barro) y cuáles "culturales" (agregados como desgrasantes)?, y, derivado de ésta, ¿cómo se preparaba el barro? ...
... La cerámica agrupada dentro de la familia 2 fue elaborada con luvisol. Aunque las familias 1 y 2 contienen los mismos componentes antiplásticos, el luvisol es un suelo que se caracteriza por formar cutanes arcillosos, denominados pápulas cuando se localizan al interior de una muestra cerámica, que difícilmente pueden ser desintegrados en su totalidad a través de su pulverización y que por esta razón pueden ser considerados como un rasgo diagnóstico de este tipo de suelo (Cabadas et al., 2017) (Figura 5a, 7c y 7d). Las familias de origen alóctono corresponden a las 3 y 4. La familia 3 arrojó un contenido mineralógico conformado de calcita y cuarzos policristalinos que, si bien podrían provenir de las formaciones sedimentarias localizadas a menos de 5 km de los sitios Xajay, la ausencia de minerales de origen volcánico en su contenido (vidrio volcánico, feldespatos, plagioclasas y anfíboles) nos permite suponer esto, ya que los suelos de la región aparentemente siempre contienen (en mayor o menor proporción) minerales volcánicos (Figura 5b). ...
The purpose of this article is to explore the operational chain involved in Xajay's ceramic production through a petrographic and statistical analysis, in order to differentiate the ceramic produced locally from the one that was manufactured in other regions. The collection analyzed for this study comes from the excavations conducted in the main ceremonial center of Xajay culture, known as Pahñu, which was occupied between 300 and 950 AD, and located in the municipality of Tecozautla, Hidalgo, Mexico. The study was based in the petrographic analysis of 21 ceramic samples, and the micromorphologic analysis of 6 soil samples. In order to review the different methods of clay preparation, the samples were first grouped by mineralogical composition to be able to infer their origin related to a same source area. In a second moment, groups were defined in subgroups, taking into consideration proportions, morphology, and size of antiplastic particles. Likewise, the purpose of the micro-morphological analysis was the identification and characterization of soils, in order to correlate soils with corresponding ceramic samples. The analysis allows for an understanding of the dynamics involved in raw material exploitation and clay preparation for the elaboration of ceramic objects used at Pahñu. With regards to the different types of soil used in ceramic production-Vertisol, Luvisol and Feozem-the inhabitants of Pahñu opted for the latter two. The information obtained in this study leads to the conclusion that the Xajay culture produced most of their ceramic assemblage locally and acquired, to a lesser degree, ceramic produced in other regions.
... The soil used as a material for making ceramics in Takalar is a type of earthenware soil, low burn type. In general, Hector divided types of soil for ceramic by three types [5] divides three types of soil for ceramics, 1) Earthenware soil (900 ° -1100 °), is a type of low burnt soil. The burning color that is caused is red, pink, or brown. ...
... Ancient ceramic Maya figurines or figures (the term figurine or figure is used in the context of Maya civilization and implies a group of varied items that include small sculptures of warriors or supernatural beings, musical instruments and jewellery) are currently the subject of many studies. The main goal of these studies is the identification of raw material sources [1][2][3] and the classification of the figurines according to their compositional differences [4,5]. Other studies are focused on the characterization of surface coatings and identification of pigments [6,7]. ...
The paper presents the archaeometric study of a unique collection of ancient Maya figurines from the National Museum - Naprstek Museum collection in Prague, Czech Republic. The aim was to characterize ceramic materials of the figurines by three integral techniques (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, simultaneous thermal analysis), in order to determine their chemical and mineralogical compositions and to assess possible similarities in the raw materials. The measured data were compared using statistical techniques in order to set up groups of samples according to the diversity in their composition. Further, the surface finishing was evaluated using micro-Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A great diversity of ceramic bodies was proved. The compositions of figurines show 5 different groups with a varying ratio of main variables SiO₂, CaO and Al₂O₃. The analyses of decorative layers proved that the red pigment, which was used as an aesthetic coating of a jaguar figurine, contains primarily hematite. The other red pigments used to decorate frog and head figurines were of organic origin formed by cochineal dye. The nanostructured well-known artificial blue pigment Maya Blue was identified on the fragment of a bowl and a man figurine. The results document the material diversity of a unique collection of pre-Columbian ceramics.
Production and consumption of pottery tempered with fresh volcanic ash peaked in the Late to Terminal Classic periods in the Maya lowlands. Differences in the type of volcanic inclusion and vessel form indicate that the pottery was produced in multiple locations by different groups of potters. In this article, we characterize pottery from household contexts at Baking Pot, Belize, using thin-section petrography and neutron activation analysis (NAA) to document mineralogical and chemical variability and determine provenance. The pottery was produced by adding fresh volcanic ash to a micritic clay. The petrographic and chemical data indicate that this paste recipe was produced locally in the Belize Valley. Variation in the paste recipes used is likely due to both production differences and postdepositional alteration. We argue that it is critical to use both petrography and NAA to understand pottery production and provenance in the Maya region.
Archaeological investigations undertaken by the Proyecto Arqueológico Tlajinga Teotihuacán are focused on understanding urban expansion and household economies in this southern district of the city. Our geoarchaeological research addresses similar topics through examination of relevant microstratigraphic and botanical signatures as well as those relevant to reconstructing paleoenvironment. We investigated four different contexts at Tlajinga: the southern extension of the Street of the Dead, an obsidian working area outside Compound 17:S3E1, anthropogenic and natural layers below Compound 18:S3E1, and a soil profile at the San Lorenzo river. We employed micromorphological, pollen, and phytolith analyses as well as standard soil analytics to study the various deposits in these contexts. Our analysis demonstrates artificial lowering of the tepetate for continuing the axis of the Street of the Dead, microdebitage from obsidian working outside Compound 17:S3E1, and the preservation of in situ burning activities at Compound 18:S3E1. Further, we reconstruct alluvial infilling of the Street of the Dead with pedogenetic overprinting and present further evidence on the occurrence and variability of the Black San Pablo Paleosol and its agricultural significance.
