Small-Scale Maya Lime Making in Belize: Ancient and Modern

Abstract

Results of excavations of an Early Classic Maya coastal lime-making site on Placencia Lagoon, Belize, and replicative experiments make it possible to suggest a method by which the ancient Maya extracted lime from marine Shells. Modern small-scale lime production methods are compared with the hypothesized prehispanic method.

Calcareous fossil inclusions and rock-source of Maya lime plaster from the Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico

“…This may suggest that the Palenque people produced lime from a source of dolomitic limestone in the same way as lime from limestone, but using some type of well-ventilated kiln for lowertemperature calcinations. This agrees with research that suggests that ancient Maya lime production was in open-air (Mackinnon and May, 1990;Abrams and Freter, 1996;Schreiner, 2002; among others). Here, the term magnesian lime, which includes a range of magnesium carbonate between 5 and 35% weight, proposed by the Applied Petrographic Group for mortar and plaster (Leslie and Eden, 2008) is not considered because that convention is not related to the ancient Maya mortar and plaster production methods which likely had lower production efficiencies that may not have reached the high ratios of CaO/MgO observed in modern technology production.…”

“…From the selection of raw materials in their natural environment to the development of plaster technology, Maya lime plaster technology and production must involve a series of technical achievements (Littmann, 1958b(Littmann, , 1966Mackinnon and May, 1990;Magaloni et al, 1995;Hansen et al, 1997;McVey, 1998;Mathews, 2002;Schreiner, 2002;Villaseñor and Graham, 2010).…”

Technology and decay of magnesian lime plasters: the sculptures of the funerary crypt of Palenque, Mexico

“…Although there are some overlaps, the lack of correspondence suggests the use of raw materials other than local stones for lime production. Possible explanations include the use of high-quality calcitic shell lime, known to be traditionally produced in the Maya area for corn processing (Baer and Merrifield, 1971;Mackinnon and May, 1990;Nations, 1979;Mathews, 2002), or the use of limestone imported from distant sites. Although it is recognized that these particular choices would have demanded a greater investment of labour, the sculptures were commissioned to serve funerary purposes of a powerful ruler and their production may therefore have justified such investment.…”

A Short History of the Use of Lime as a Building Material Beyond Europe and North America

“…The presence of cemented lumps of lime found within middens at many smallscale Mayan sites is considered to be evidence of lime production (Mackinnon and May 1990). Mackinnon and May (1990) believe that they have identified a lime-making station on the east side of Palancia Lagoon through the identification of a carbonate layer and characteristic pottery deposits.…”

“…The presence of cemented lumps of lime found within middens at many smallscale Mayan sites is considered to be evidence of lime production (Mackinnon and May 1990). Mackinnon and May (1990) believe that they have identified a lime-making station on the east side of Palancia Lagoon through the identification of a carbonate layer and characteristic pottery deposits. From a study of current lime-burning practices in the region, they believe that the kiln consisted of layers of shells and wood that would have been placed on a possible platform of pottery platters (Mackinnon and May 1990).…”