Abstract
In the article, the main technological features of production of the Maya terracotta figurines of the classical period are considered. The attention is paid to the features of qualities of clay in Mayan territories.
The author of the article describes the process of creating clay mixture, the specifi cs of production of terracotta fi gurines, the process of decorating and drying, fi ring and painting. There is a detailed description of all production stages taking into account their specifi cs. The manual method of production, production of terracotta by means of molds and combined method are characterized in detail. The attention is paid to the use of techniques of tucks, impression and sticks in the process of making and decorating. The article provides the information about the various pigments from minerals and plants that were used by the masters while painting fi gures. Their color features and conditions of creation are analyzed. The author focuses on blue and dark blue pigment- the most common among the Maya and used in the greater part of fi elds of art which was made from the palygorskite and Indigo.
In the work, there is a characteristic of the specialized workshops in which terracotta was made: a working zone, the place for drying and fi ring. The latter was more often taken out the household. The Maya used mainly fi res for the fi ring of ceramic production.
The information about the social status of people who made clay fi gures is given: professional masters and ordinary community members.
The latest scientifi c data of foreign researchers on these issues received in accordance with the modern natural scientifi c methods of analysis of archaeological material are submitted.
Keywords
Maya clay, terracotta figurines, the technology of production
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