Digital Imaging and Archaeometric Analysis of the Cascajal Block
Establishing Context and Authenticity for the Earliest Known Olmec Text
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6033706 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Joshua D Englehardt (0000-0002-3508-7367, El Colegio de México, corresponding author), Mirta A Insaurralde Caballero, Emiliano Ricardo Melgar Tisoc (0000-0002-7300-3224, National Institute of Anthropology and History), Luis R Velázquez Maldonado, Viridiana Guzmán Torres (0000-0003-2070-1843, National Institute of Anthropology and History), Henri Noel Bernard (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), Michael D Carrasco (0000-0002-5237-1845, Florida State University) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 189-209 |
| Publication date | 2020-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Ancient Mesoamerica (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0956-5361 • E-ISSN: 1469-1787 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0956536119000257 |
| OpenAlex | W2991060350 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 40 |
Although the Cascajal Block (CB), an incised greenstone slab from southeastern Veracruz, Mexico, arguably contains the earliest written text in the New World, debate remains regarding the object's authenticity, dating, and cultural affiliation. To address these issues, this article details recent analyses of the CB via polynomial texture mapping (PTM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PTM revealed new details that have resulted in a new epigraphic drawing of the block's incised text and allowed for improved identification of several constituent signs. Spectrometric analysis confirmed that the chemical composition of the CB matrix is consistent with serpentine and identified a uniform patina on its surface, which provided additional contextual data. SEM micrographs of polymer replica molds taken from the incised text evidence manufacturing traces that correspond to lapidary techniques observed on other Formative-period Olmec objects of secure provenience. Results assist in clarifying the archaeological contexts of the object and confirm that in terms of symbols, material, and manufacture the CB conforms to other Formative-period Olmec objects, supporting the object's authenticity, dating, and cultural affiliation
Archaeology · Art · Formative assessment · Geometry · Linguistics · Visual arts · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Building materials and conservation · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · History · Mathematics · Philosophy · Geology
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Historia General de las Cosas de Nueva España
Archaeological applications of polynomial texture mapping
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Obsidian as Jewelry
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Excavations at La Venta, Tabasco, 1955
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Experimental Archeology1
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,67 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |