Blue fibers found in dental calculus from Maya sacrificial victims

Surveyed in 2008–2010, the Midnight Terror Cave contains the comingled remains of at least 118 Maya sacrificial victims from the Classic Period (250 CE–925 CE). In order to determine what the victims were consuming, microscopic analysis was carried out on dental calculus. Given the minimal calculus present, calculus from three teeth from one area of the cave (operation V) and three teeth from another area (operation VIII) was each combined to create two samples for analysis. Samples were sent to the PaleoResearch Institute for analysis where they were examined for pollen, phytoliths, starches, and other inclusions. Aside from organic components, both samples were found to contain blue fibers. We were able to exclude contamination as explanation for their presence. Given the time frame needed to encase the fibers within calculus, the fibers were introduced several days or weeks prior to death. The unusual color of the fibers could be attributed to Maya blue; a unique pigment used mainly in ritual settings. A few possible answers exist as to how the fibers were introduced to the victims' mouths. The fibers could be from consuming a blue‐dyed pulque. They could also have been introduced during utilitarian activities or through some form of dentistry. Another possible explanation is that the fibers were present after using gags as the victims were paraded from town to town, then to the sacrificial site

Archaeology · Art · Aside · Calculus (dental · Cave · Geography · Literature · Maya · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Dentistry · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

• Identifying indigenous bast microfibers for archaeological research in East Asia

  Open Access•Li Liu, Yahui He et al.•Archaeological Research in Asia•2023

  Añadir item

• Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Social Status of Skeletal Remains from Nonfunerary and “Problematical” Contexts

  A Cucina, Tiesler et al.•New Perspectives on Human…•2007

  Añadir item

• Human Sacrifice in Late Postclassic Maya Iconography and Texts

  Gabrielle Vail, Christine Hernández•New Perspectives on Human…•2007

  Añadir item

• Paleodemographics of Child Sacrifice at Midnight Terror Cave

  Open Access•Michael Prout, Michael G Prout et al.•Archaeological Discovery•2018

  Añadir item

• The first direct evidence of pre-columbian sources of palygorskite for Maya Blue

  Open Access•Dean E Arnold, Bruce F Bohor et al.•Journal of Archaeological Science•2012

  Añadir item

• Dental caries and antemortem tooth loss in the Northern Peten area, Mexico

  Open Access•A Cucina, Tiesler et al.•American Journal of Physical…•2003

  Añadir item

• Dental wear in the Libben population

  Open Access•C Owen Lovejoy•American Journal of Physical…•1985

  Añadir item

• The first direct evidence for the production of Maya Blue

  Open Access•Dean E Arnold, Jason R Branden et al.•Antiquity•2008

  Añadir item

• Dedicatory Burial/Offering Complexes at the Moon Pyramid, Teotihuacan

  Open Access•Saburo Sugiyama, Leonardo López Luján•Ancient Mesoamerica•2007

  Añadir item

• Sourcing the Palygorskite Used in Maya Blue

  Open Access•Dean E Arnold, Hector Neff et al.•Latin American Antiquity•2007

  Añadir item

• Maya Blue-A New Perspective

  Open Access•Edwin R Littmann•American Antiquity•1980

  Añadir item

• The Relationship of 'Volcanic Ash,' sak lu'um, and Palygorskite in Northern Yucatan Maya Ceramics

  Open Access•Wayne C Isphording, Eugene M Wilson•American Antiquity•1974

  Añadir item

• A Preliminary Evaluation of Tooth Tartar among the Preconquest Maya of the Tayasal Area, El Peten, Guatemala

  Open Access•David T Evans•American Antiquity•1973

  Añadir item

• Maya Blue

  Open Access•Rutherford J Gettens•American Antiquity•1962

  Añadir item