The secret of sparkling paint in Maya ancient temple

The Maya used a paint containing mica to bring out the sparkling beauty of the sun for their splendid temples. Scientists have discovered traces of this sparkling mineral when analyzing paint chips taken from Rosalila temple in Copán, Hondura.

The temple was built around the 6th century AD. Today, it lies inside a giant pyramid that surrounds it.

According to the lead author of the study, Rosemary Goodall - a doctoral student in physical sciences at Queensland University of Technology, sparkling paint can be the cause for this sacred area. Its shining appearance.

He said: 'Mica will bring about a sparkling effect. Today's mica is mainly used for this reason - creating a final coating that reflects light. '

Sparkling paint also appears in more rare occasions, possibly during important ceremonies or celebrations.

The coating shines

Goodall's team used infrared analysis techniques to study the red, green, and gray paint on grout coatings that appear on the exterior of this well-preserved temple. The technique of ' reading ' out the chemical properties of each molecule in the paint sample.

Goodall explained: 'We were unable to distinguish the different molecules that constitute the paint, but with this technique I was able to capture the surface of the material and separate each of the different molecules in the paint . That provides more information in a faster time period. '

The mica used in paint may not be in Maya's territory, 'it seems that mica exists in a region that is now Guatemala. The Maya probably had to import this material. '

The analysis of such materials by the Mayans provided technical information, knowledge exchange and trade networks. The information includes how people in the south interact with people in the north.

The team's findings were published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy .

Simulation work of the sacred temple Rosalila at Maya Museum in Copán, Honduras.New research on paint chips taken from the temple exterior coating reveals that Maya people use mica to shone the temple in the sun.(Photo: AP / Esteban Felix)

Only for special occasions?

Until now, mica has only been found in Rosalila Temple.

Goodall said: 'It was used for 100 years. We knew it was because the Mayans recorded the inauguration and closing ceremony dates. The temple has been repainted about 15 to 20 times but the mica only appears once every 4th or 5th layer. It is not present at all paint layers. '

Goodall also added, 'if it is used sporadically, the chances are great that this place has a particularly important meaning. The Maya marked the calendar very regularly, so the next step was to examine the inner layer of the coatings to determine the frequency of mica use. This means that paint with mica is used only to celebrate the end of a good period to mark important dates. '

Cynthia Robin, an anthropologist and Maya civilization expert at Northwestern University, Illinois said: 'The idea is interesting because the Mayans numbered based on the system 20 so their calendar was divided. 20-year periods called katun. '

'Information from hieroglyphs shows that the end of a katun is an important anniversary moment in the king's life. Clearly Rosalila is a very important place for royalty in Copán. '