Characterization of Mesoamerican jade
Jadeite occurring in the Motague River Valley of Guatemala has been characterized by neutron activation analysis and forms two district, phase-related groups. Comparison of the compositional profiles of Mayan jadeite artifacts reveals many specimens having profiles matching those of the Montagua source. Of particular interest are the large number of jadeite artifacts which show internal similarity yet have compositional patterns which are significantly different from the Montagua samples and Montagua-related artifacts. A few of the analyzed Costa Rican artifacts show patterns similar to those of the Motagua yet the vast majority fall within one of the two Costa Rican compositional groups. When considering the non-Motagua related Mayan artifacts, the analytical approach appears to be sufficiently sensitive so as to distinguish differences between the Chrome-green and Chichen-green material. Even two Honduran site specific groups of albite - cultural jade - form distinct groups.
- Research Organization:
- Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (USA). Conservation-Analytical Lab.; Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA); Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA (USA). Research Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6012545
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-35494; CONF-8309174-3; ON: DE85006800
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. international seminar applications of science in examination of works of art, Boston, MA, USA, 7 Sep 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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