Archaeometric study of Maya pottery from Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

In this paper, structural, morphological, and mineralogical characterizations of Maya archaeological pottery from Comalcalco, Tabasco, Mexico are presented. The fired clay ceramic samples were taken from Maya settlements, previously classified in traditional way, using the type-variety method from physical and cultural features. It is shown that the ceramics studied have some similarities and differences, indicating that the classification by type-variety must be complemented with physicochemical characterization techniques to issue more compelling proposals about Maya ceramics. Physicochemical analysis revealed that the raw materials used by ceramic groups to manufacture different types of pottery such as vases, cups, incense burners and pots have the same composition and origin than the raw materials located in the surrounded region of the archaeological site. Quite similar mineralogical compositions were found between the various studied ceramic materials which indicate a great knowledge of the manufactured materials type. However, significant differences in fired temperatures and carbon concentration were observed which may be related to type of materials used as fuel (organic materials) and whether such ceramics were fired in open or pit ovens.