In a recent study published in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica, Dr. Dean Arnold and his colleagues, Joseph Ball, Laure Dussubieux, and Jennifer Tachek, examined 17 samples of Maya Blue from pottery sherds dated to the Late-Terminal Classic Period (AD 680–860) at Buenavista del Cayo, Belize. Maya Blue was a unique pigment made by combining organic indigo with inorganic palygorskite.

Research article (open access)

The analysis showed that the palygorskite used at Buenavista was mined at Sacalum more than 375 km away.

While overland routes between the sites existed, it is most likely that either Maya Blue or palygorskite, along with the knowledge of its production, traveled together with maritime Maya canoers along the north-central Yucatan coast, or from northeastern Quintana Roo to the mouth of the Belize River. From here, canoers may have traveled upstream to Buenavista.

  • expatriado@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    24 days ago

    on the other side of the Atlantic blue pigment was also a big deal, and had to be imported from afar, i think that’s why Mary got blue clothing on paintings