Abstract

Bradley W. Russell and Bruce H. Dahlin
Traditional Burnt-Lime Production at Mayapán, Mexico
Journal of Field Archaeology 32 (2007) 407--423

Lime was widely utilized throughout ancient Mesoamerica. Drawing on the expertise of traditional Maya lime producers from a small local community, we address the energetics, material inputs, and archaeological signature of burnt-lime production in the Northern Yucat㌻ Peninsula of Mexico. When compared with the estimated lime usage at the Maya site of Mayapán, the data collected from experimental lime burning suggest that traditional lime production was reasonably labor intensive and used large, albeit sustainable, quantities of raw materials, especially wood. Lime manufacture was an important component of ancient Mesoamerican economic life, especially in urban settings where it may have been a full time occupation for some, at least during certain parts of the year. This analysis allows us to predict what the remains of lime burning sites should look like and where they are most likely to be encountered archaeologically.

Volume 32 Number 4 (Winter 2007) Table of Contents

Main Author Listing

List of Indices

JFA Home Page

Maintained by Al B. Wesolowsky

abw@bu.edu