Discovery and characterization of an unknown blue-green Maya pigment: Veszelyite

Blue-green mosaic and polychrome masks and funerary offerings from the royal tombs of Calakmul, Mexico, were analysed by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). This led to the first identification of the use of veszelyite, a rare hydrated copper-zinc phosphate, as green pigment. Analyses of a geological sample of this mineral have been done to confirm the characterization of this Mayan pigment, which might help determine pre-Columbian trade routes of precious and luxury objects in the ancient Maya Classic period (ad 250-800).