Petrophysical Properties of Andesites: Selecting Rock Types for Mesoamerican Grinding Tool Production at Turícuaro, Michoacán (Mexico)

• Published in: Geoheritage 2025-03, Vol.17 (1), Article 6
• Main Authors: Hamon, Caroline, Pola, Antonio, Sereno, Hugo, Siebe, Claus, Ávila-Villanueva, Carmen Alitzel, Martínez-Martínez, Javier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogeosciences; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Fabrication; Grinding tools; Historical Geology; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Lava; Mineralogy; Original Article; Paleontology; Permeability; Physical Geography; Physical properties; Porosity; Quarries; Volcanic rocks; Volcanoes
• ISSN: 1867-2477; 1867-2485
• DOI: 10.1007/s12371-024-01052-7

This study investigates the selection of volcanic rocks from the El Metate and Urutzen volcanoes for the traditional crafting of metates, focusing on the physical and mechanical properties that determine their suitability. Through comprehensive analyses, including slake durability tests and assessments of porosity, permeability, and uniaxial compressive strength, we identify specific rock groups that exhibit optimal characteristics for metate fabrication. Our findings reveal that the quarries currently exploited for metate production (samples 11-13) use rocks with petrophysical properties like those of the ancient, abandoned quarries of Taleminuchi (El Metate lava flow 7, samples 9-10). Despite all rocks under study falling within the same porosity range and featuring ink-bottle type pores, significant differences in pore distribution have been found to govern essential properties such as permeability and compressive strength, which are critical for the manufacture of metates. This research emphasizes the importance of selecting rocks with a balanced set of physical properties to ensure the durability and efficiency of metates. The study not only enhances our understanding of traditional tool crafting but also establishes a practical framework for selecting ideal volcanic rocks for metate manufacturing, echoing the deep-rooted knowledge inherited from ancestral craftsmanship practices. Through the lens of modern scientific analysis, we bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and contemporary material selection, underscoring the enduring relevance of these ancient practices in the today society. Graphical Abstract