Aztec metalwork9.2/10
Turquoise Pectoral of Tlaloc
Masterwork of imperial Mexica craftsmanship with exceptional provenance documentation. Recent XRF analysis confirms Pachuca turquoise sourcing.
- Origin
- Tenochtitlan region
- Review type
- Desk analysis
THE CURRENT DIG
Independent analyses, without the romance.
We look beyond museum display cases to document provenance, contextual integrity, scholarly accessibility, and how respectfully each finding is presented to the public.
8 documented analyses
Scores reflect published excavation records and clearly labelled desk or field research. Titles below represent editorial demo entries for this concept site.
Maya epigraphy8.8/10
Stela 14 from Calakmul
Overlooked glyph blocks reveal a diplomatic marriage absent from dynastic lists. Ceramic association supports the reading.
- Origin
- Calakmul, Campeche
- Review type
- Desk analysis
Inca engineering8.5/10
Qhapaq Ñan at Ñusta Hispana
Road engineering respecting vertical geography without iron tools. Retaining walls adapted to freeze-thaw cycles.
- Origin
- Andes highlands
- Review type
- Field observation
Olmec sculpture7.9/10
San Lorenzo Colossal Head 6
Monumental basalt portraiture with unresolved transport questions. Helmet iconography remains debated.
- Origin
- Veracruz lowlands
- Review type
- Desk analysis
Mixtec lapidary8.1/10
Codex-Style Pectoral from Tomb 7
Extraordinary micro-mosaic work. Iconographic program links to Mixteca-Puebla traditions.
- Origin
- Monte Albán, Oaxaca
- Review type
- Desk analysis
Teotihuacan lithics7.7/10
Prismatic Blade Cache from Pyramid of the Moon
Technically perfect blades in ritual context. Depositional chronology less secure than reported.
- Origin
- Teotihuacan, Mexico
- Review type
- Desk analysis
♥
Maya ceramics7.5/10
Codex-style vessel from Nakbe
Exceptional painting technique undermined by unclear excavation history. Provenance gaps remain.
- Origin
- Petén, Guatemala
- Review type
- Desk analysis
✦
Wari textiles7.3/10
Wari tunic with tocapu registers
Complex weave structure with administrative iconography. Provenance gaps remain concerning.
- Origin
- Central coast, Peru
- Review type
- Desk analysis