2025/06/26 by Efren Herrera-López, Luis F. Zubieta‐Otero, Leon R. Bernal-Alvarez +4 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Building materials and conservation #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Archaeological and Geological Studies
paper · doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105276
openalex publication_date 2025/06/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
This study examines the stuccos of the “El Cerrito” pyramid, focusing on their mineral composition, morphology and construction processes. Advanced characterization techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (IR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement are used. The analysis shows the presence of calcite, calcium oxalate and other minerals, indicating three different phases in the construction of the pyramid. Based on the age and carbonation reflected in the calcite crystallite size results of the Rietveld refinement analysis, it was possible to identify these three phases as the carbonation of stucco depends on the time it was in contact with carbon dioxide from the environment. We identified stucco sample 5 as the oldest in the first phase, then stucco 2 and 4 in the second phase, and finally stucco 1 and 3 in the third phase, with the last being the youngest. It was found that the stuccos were intentionally reinforced with cotton and nopal fiber. In addition, the proposed model of interstitial water within the stucco crystal lattice, particularly in the calcium carbonate (calcite), provides information on how these phases were formed in contact with the environment.