Archaeobotanic: HPLC molecular profiles for the discrimination of copals in mesoamerica application to the study of resin MLaterials from objects of aztec offerings

Abstract

During archaeological excavations at «Templo Mayor» site, between 2006 and 2008 in Mexico City, thirteen Aztec offerings were found. Among the materials of these offerings the most abundant was a resinous substance used as adhesive, molding material for figures or as a spiritual offering. Two archaeological samples from two Aztec artifacts were analyzed by HPLC. Their global molecular profile was compared to that of fresh botanically certified copal resins from six species of Mexican Bursera ( Burseraceae family) . This study aims to complete a previous research based on GC-MS results that focused only on triterpenic molecular resin composition. The molecular profile of archaeological samples suggests a botanical copal origin related to B. bipinnata or maybe B. stenophylla species which triterpenic profile composition is identical to.