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Mexican murals store magnetic data

Sid Perkins

Tiny magnetic particles in the pigments of some Mexican murals recorded the direction of Earth's magnetic field when the paint dried.

References:

Goguitchaichvili, A., et al. 2004. Pre-Columbian mural paintings from Mesoamerica as geomagnetic field recorders. Geophysical Research Letters 31(June 28):L12607. Abstract available at http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2004/2004GL020065.shtml.

Further Readings:

McDonagh, S. 2003. Art on the rocks: Dating ancient paintings in the caves of Borneo. Science News 164(Sept. 6):147. Available at http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20030906/fob2.asp.

Sources:

Avto Goguitchaichvili
Geophysical Institute
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Ciudad Universitaria
Del. Coyoacan
Mexico City D.F. 04510
Mexico