"Over the past few decades, evidence has built that the Maya of Central America extensively used a mercury-containing compound for decoration and art. Mercury was so prevalent that archaeological sites are still heavily contaminated today. Tellingly, scientists reported that two water reservoirs in the heart of the ancient city of Tikal contained toxic levels of mercury, raising the possibility that the Maya suffered adverse health effects."

The "mercury-containing compound" they are referring to is cinnabar, which is mercury sulfide.

The Maya coveted mercury. It may have hastened their downfall.

#futurology #archaeology #chemistry #maya