[Aztlan] plasters

[Isabel Villasenor]

Hello,
Leaving aside the discussion on acoustics, it is important not to forget
that archaeological buildings are much more than good-looking pyramids
with nice acoustics. They (and their surfaces) are possessors of various
types of information for archaeological investigation. Their perception by
the public is equally important and any plastering intervention must
therefore be carefully considered. I’m not going to outline the ethics and
theoretical principles of monuments conservation but the suggestion of
plastering one side of Chichen Itza’s main structure only to obtain better
acoustic effects is, I think, beyond the limits of a professional
conservation practice. Lime plasters constitute a good option for the
conservation of Maya monuments (much better than Portland cement!) but
their use should not be indiscriminate.
	I agree with the messages that have been posted about the relevance of
lime plasters. Although these materials have been highly overlooked in
Maya archaeology, the study of their materials and manufacture can yield
valuable information, especially if studied along other sources of
evidence such as ethnographic descriptions.

Isabel Villaseñor

Research Student
Institute of Archaeology, UCL
31-34 Gordon Square,
London WC1H OPY