Mystery of Mayan colour uncovered: 28-02-2008
A new discovery has been made, revealing how ancient civilisations made the pigment Maya blue.
The colour was used regularly by the Mayan people and is notable for its durability.
Despite being used for temples, jugs, pots and jars in South America, the pigment has maintained its brilliant colour magnificently over time.
Even with the relentless heat of the sun beating down on it, Maya blue is remarkable for keeping its beauty.
It was long ago discovered how to recreate the colour but now anthropologists have worked out how the Mayan people manage to create it in ancient times.
An online paper published in
The Antiquity reveals that the pigment was cooked up in ceramic bowls which were placed over burning incense.
Now Dean Arnold, anthropologist at Wheaton College, believes that Maya blue was created as part of a religious ritual.
"It began to look like the production of the ancient Maya blue was based on the performance of the religious rituals," he said.
"Healing was a sacred art in Maya culture, and palygorskite, indigo and copal incense all were thought to have healing properties," continued Mr Arnold.