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Ancient Mesoamerican Mortars, Plasters, and Stuccos: The Use of Bark Extracts in Lime Plasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Edwin R. Littmann*
Affiliation:
Esso Mexicana, Mexico 7, D. F.

Abstract

Mesoamerican masons have used an extract from the bark of such trees as the chucum, chacte, chacah, and jabin in the preparation of lime plaster since prehistoric times, reportedly to increase the workability or strength of the lime and to reduce cracking in the plaster. Experiments involving the use of plasters prepared with these high tannin-content extracts show that the extracts have an effect on the properties of lime plater probably by stabilizing the system during drying.

Type
Facts and Comments
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1960

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References

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