Developments in Ceramic Materials Research

Postclassic Maya Ceramic Advances 17
chert, chalcedony, hematite, biotite, and calcite (euhedral, polycrystalline, and
cryptocrystalline) mineral inclusions (Figure 5B). The majority of Vitzil Orange-Red ware
sherds were made with this combination of clay and minerals. High quantities of
cryptocrystalline calcite and lesser amounts of quartz together with the reddish-orange clay
comprise the third mineralogically-different group (Figure 5C).
Figure 5. Thin section photographs of Vitzil Orange Red ware pottery: A) volcanic ash tempered
(Augustine Red excavated from Zacpetén), B) quartz, chert, chalcedony, hematite, biotite, and calcite
(euhedral, polycrystalline, and cryptocrystalline) inclusions (Graciela Polychrome type excavated from
Zacpetén), and C) cryptocrystalline calcite and lesser amounts of quartz inclusions (Augustine Red type
excavated from Zacpetén). Figure A was photographed at 40X with plane polarized light and B and C
were photographed at 40X with cross polarized light.
Unlike the Clemencia Cream Paste and Vitzil Orange-Red wares, the Snail-Inclusion
Paste ware sherds only form two different recipe groups (Figure 6). The first group (Figure
6A) is characterized by the inclusion of quartz, chert, chalcedony, hematite, biotite, calcite
(euhedral, polycrystalline, and cryptocrystalline), lacustrine shell, and organic material. The