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An Analysis of Mayan Painting Techniques at Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico

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Abstract

We studied mural painting samples from Bonampak (790-792 AD), Chiapas, Mexico, by several analytical methods: gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), optical microscopy and X-ray diffractometry.

The GC/MS suggested an original use of natural organic materials on both, the painting layers and the mortars, leading to the identification of a specific a Mayan technique of painting murals.

The identification of pigments and the observation of cross-sections by optical microscopy revealed a sophisticated and rich palette used for painting the murals. The consequences of our study are discussed in detail.

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References

  1. Ruppert, Karl, Erik Thompson, Tatiana Proskuriakoff: Bonampak, Chiapas, (Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C. 1955) p.43.

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  2. Miller, Mary Ellen: The Murals of Bonampak, (Princeton University Press, 1986) p.23.

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  3. Espinosa Espinosa et.al.: Bonampak, (City-Bank-City-Corp, México, 1988) p. 30.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas, University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico

    Diana Magaloni & Y. Fruh

  2. Analytical Laboratory, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA

    R. Newman

  3. Instituto de Materiales UNAM, México City, Mexico

    L. Baños

  4. Instituto de Fisica, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico

    V. Castano

  5. Laboratoire de Conservation de la Pierre, Ecole Politechnique Fédérale de Lausanne(EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

    R. Pancella

Authors
  1. Diana Magaloni
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  2. R. Newman
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  3. L. Baños
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  4. V. Castano
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  5. R. Pancella
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  6. Y. Fruh
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Magaloni, D., Newman, R., Baños, L. et al. An Analysis of Mayan Painting Techniques at Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico. MRS Online Proceedings Library 352, 381–388 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-352-381

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-352-381

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