magnetism in mesoamerian murals by: emily shearin
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Magnetism in Mesoamerian Murals By: Emily Shearin. What is Archaeomagnetic Dating?. Two basic principles: Earth's magnetic field changes with time in both intensity and direction (strength and secular variation) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Magnetism in Mesoamerian MuralsBy: Emily Shearin
What is Archaeomagnetic Dating?
Two basic principles: Earth's magnetic field changes with time in both
intensity and direction (strength and secular variation)
Certain events can naturally cause magnetic materials to end up permanently magnetized. This records the magnetic field within the magnetic materials pertaining to the time of the event
My Thesis
Archaeomagnetic Dating Reliable and useful That Mesoamerican murals have the correct
material to perform Archaeomagnetic dating I will also discuss what I believe is a logical next
step in archaeomagnetic research in Mesoamerica would be.
What Materials Can Be Used?
In the case of Mesoamerican murals:
Hematite and Magnetite As the paint and
pigments dry the inclination, declination, and therefore field direction freeze, this leaves the remanent magnetization behind that can be tested
The most prevalent of these magnetized minerals are iron oxides including magnetite, and hematite
It was previously thought that the magnetized minerals would only get stuck after being heated above the Curie point. The Curie point is also known as the Curie temperature is the point where a material's magnetic parts change direction
The Research: Study 1Avto Goguitchaichvili and A. Soler
Templo Rojo @ Tenohtitlan, Templo de Venus @ Cacaxtla, Chapulines and Estrellas @ Cholula
These specific pieces were chosen because they have been well dated in different ways. Also because they have an abundance of red paint
Looking to prove that archaeomagnetic dating results were valid “A characteristic remanent magnetization is successfully isolated by
alternating field demagnetization They found the mean directions of each mural are reasonably
determined and hold within the date range previously determined Compared these results to those from rocks and lime plaster Turned out that all the archaeomagnetic dating from the murals and
other materials agreed with previous research.
The Research: Study 1Avto Goguitchaichvili and A. Soler
The Research: Study 2Hueda-Tanabe and A Soler
Archaeomagnetic dating on burned and unburned lime-plaster
Lime plaster was chosen because of its frequent occurrence, especially as support for murals
Hypothesis: Lime plasters contain enough magnetic materials , and that it is feasible to measure their remanent magnetization
Proving Archaeomagnetism is a useful tool in Mesoamerican archeology, allowing the dating of constructive stages
The Research: Study 2Hueda-Tanabe and A Soler
Teopancazco Residential compound Characterized by a
series of constructive levels
Very well known dating, this is why it was chosen
Templo Mayor Large complex structure
with several constructive stages
Chosen specifically because the chronology of the constructive stages are unclear
The Research: Study 2Hueda-Tanabe and A Soler
Results @ Teopancazco Stage 2 both A.
dating and c14 have a mean of 350 AD
Stage 3 C14 said 575 +/- 80 while A dating says 555 AD
Due to secondary tilting of the structure, re-magnetization possibly occurred
However showed well grouped magnetization and the group believed with further research and re calibration the dates will hold true
The Next Step...
Why Monte Alban?
The murals in Monte Alban are mostly tomb murals They have discovered 177 tombs and more are being
found The two tombs I would focus on are Tomb 104 and
Tomb 105
Characteristics of the Tombs
Tomb 104 Thoroughly researched
Can be cross dated Zapotec Red
Holds Hematite Remained sealed
Tomb 105 Thoroughly researched
Some chronological questions remain
Zapotec Red Hold Hematite
Re-entered
Tomb 105 Mystery
Zapotec red is a unique mixture: Organic red lake pigment (either carminic acid from cochineal insects or colorant extracted from annatto seed), cinnabar, hematite
Dead technique brought back for these tombs Darker red used for skin color is hematite and water Different technique suggesting re-entrance and re-
painting of the mural
The Dream
Use archaeomagnetic dating on all the layers of paint
Layers of lime plaster Compare these dates to
those known before Fill in gaps of
construction and culture
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1999, The Pre-Columbian Paining, Murals of Mesoamerica. Milan, Jaca Book Spa
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Goguitchaichvili, A., A. M. Soler, E. Zanella, G. Chiari, R. Lanza, J. Urrutia-Fucugauchi, and T. Gonzales
2004, Pre-Columbian Mural Paintings from Mesoamerica as Geomagnetic Field Recorders, Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 31, Issue 12, L12607
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(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031920104002742)
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