‘Maya Blue’: The Mystery Dye Recreated Two Centuries After It Was Lost
December 11, 2024 at 02:53AMIn this fascinating read that blends ancient history, art, culture, and pigment science, Mark Viales profiles an Indigenous Maya ceramicist in Mexico who has successfully recreated the iconic Maya blue pigment, a color that had disappeared for centuries.
It was used to paint pottery, sculptures, murals, jewellery, clothing, altars and, chillingly, the human beings the ancient Maya offered to their gods, to garner favour. According to Spanish Franciscan friar Diego de Landa Calderon – most famous for his zeal in destroying Maya codices – the Maya painted human beings before forcing them onto an altar and cutting out their beating hearts.
Other victims, cast into the Cenote Chenku or Sacred Well (cenotes are interconnected, submerged limestone caves) at Chichen Itza, were similarly covered in blue. A clear sky during a drought was a sign for priests to pick their next victim and paint them in the same colour to sacrifice to the rain deity, Chaak, believed to live in Xibalba – the Maya underworld – beneath the cenotes. The priests hoped this would bring rain to provide a bountiful harvest for their crops.
from Longreads https://longreads.com/2024/12/10/maya-blue-the-mystery-dye-recreated-two-centuries-after-it-was-lost/
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