Abstract:Jade has always been highly prized in Maya culture. Early Spanish accounts following the European invasion confirm that precious stones were sacrificed in cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) with other items of great value [1], along with burial offerings. Jadeite jade (NaAlSi 2 O 6 ) is found associated with a limited number of tectonic settings around the globe and was available to the Maya in present day Guatemala [2][3][4][5]. In this study we examine a virtually monomineralic jadeite ceremonial bead from Chi… Show more
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