Los orígenes tecnológicos de la cal

Abstract

In this article we review the archaeological sites where the early use of lime in architecture has been reported, the aim being to understand how this technology was invented and its diffusion to other regions of Mexico and Central America. Based on our analysis, we propose that the lowland Maya areas, the Valley of Oaxaca and the Puebla-Tlaxcala region were the three zones in which this technology was first used, the two initial areas being the regions in which the technology was independantly invented. Moreover, we discuss the issues related to the dating process and the characterization of the lime-based elements.