Life after death: a physicochemical study of materials used by the ancient Maya in human bone ointments

Ancient Maya believed in life after death. They used to prepare dead bodies during burial ceremonies whose purpose was celebrate the and help them passing through way from earthly beyond one. Bodies preparation included coloured scented body ointment application, with a deep symbolic connotation probably also conservative purpose. The aim of this research characterize pigments binders by ancient ointments paint human bones. Emblematic painted bone samples Xcambó (Maya archaeological site located municipality Dzemul, Mexican state Yucatán) were investigated non-destructive micro-destructive analytical techniques. Results pointed out presence two mainly red pigments, i.e. ochre cinnabar, as already observed other new insight is identification organic compounds binding media ointments: mixture vegetable drying oil (probably Chia seed oil) mixed an aromatic compound (bitumen). This knowledge, together that obtained last decades, important reconstruct cultural habitat social customs pre-Hispanic civilization transfer today’s context.