"The discovery of mercury in the soil and reservoirs was expected, but the extent of it was a surprise," says Jean Tremblay. "What is particular to our study is that we systematically detected mercury throughout the city core (near both elite and non-elite residential zones) and through the entire occupation history of the site. Everyone was exposed to mercury, regardless of social status."
"Our study shows that mercury dispersed into the environment was mobilised during precipitation events and found its way into the reservoirs as particles which accumulated at the bottom of the reservoirs," Tremblay says.
"Cinnabar was used in burial rituals, employed as pigments used to paint buildings and as decorative colouring for luxury ceramics, engraved bone objects, carved stone ornaments and figurines," Tremblay explained.
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