Chemical composition of architectural plaster at the Classic Maya kingdom of Piedras Negras, Guatemala

Architectural plaster from elite masonry structures at the Classic Maya kingdom of Piedras Negras, Guatemala, is examined. Chemical composition is determined through X-ray fluorescence and compared statistically. Based on this sample, it was observed that any single masonry building was coated with...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of archaeological science 2012-05, Vol.39 (5), p.1648-1654
Main Authors: Abrams, Elliot M., Parhamovich, John, Butcher, Jared A., McCord, Bruce
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Maya architecture
Piedras Negras, Guatemala
Plaster
X-ray fluorescence
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Architectural plaster from elite masonry structures at the Classic Maya kingdom of Piedras Negras, Guatemala, is examined. Chemical composition is determined through X-ray fluorescence and compared statistically. Based on this sample, it was observed that any single masonry building was coated with plaster made from a single source of limestone and limestone-based aggregate, but that architectural plaster from different buildings across the site varied in chemical composition. It is concluded that this pattern is best accounted for by a model of rotational labor obligations to the state, with spatially distinct groups being responsible for manufacturing plaster for specific buildings. ► We study architectural plaster chemistry from Piedras Negras, Guatemala, a Maya center. ► Methods include X-ray fluorescence and complementary statistical analysis. ► Clusters of buildings differed from each other in plaster chemical composition. ► A rotational system of labor obligation is suggested.
ISSN:0305-4403
1095-9238
DOI:10.1016/j.jas.2012.01.002