RETHINKING ABOUT CHRONOLOGY OF CHICHEN ITZA: BY THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING OF VOLCANIC GLASS

Abstract

One of the most frequently recurring questions in archaeology concerns the age of the studied objects. To date, determining the chronology of the Puuc and Chichen Slate pottery of Chchen Itza, based on the stylistic change in the pottery, has been problematic. The Thermoluminescence method of dating pottery was applied to samples of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, which contain volcanic glass as temper. They were analyzed using the fine grain technique. The radisotopes that contribute to the accumulate annual dose in ceramic samples (40K, 238U, 232Th) were determined by means of Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy and Neutron Activation Analysis technique, while the artificial irradiation of the samples was carried out using 90Sr source beta radiation. We obtained results indicating the following dates; 875 ± 88; 1055 ± 85; 1063 ± 47, 1154 ± 76; 1110 ± 53, 1132 ± 69, 1221 ± 30, 1532 ± 26. The results demonstrate a chronological order of dates. Most results are in accordance with the established dates of Chichen Itza. However, Puuc and Chichen Slate did not show differences of 200 years as previously proposed, and there is evidence of an earlier period than those two pottery periods. This necessitates a reconsideration of the chronology of Chichen Itza.