On yellow and red pigmented bones found in Mayan burials of Jaina

► Yellow pigmented bones found in Jaina are reported for the first time. ► The multi-technique identified yellow pigment on bone as goethite (iron hydroxide). ► The observed yellow pigment is accompanied by red pigment identified as cinnabar. ► Yellow pigment (iron hydroxide) was originally red (iron oxide). ► Cinnabar and hematite seem to have been used simultaneously to color bones.