[Aztlan] Replastering

[David Lubman]

Isabel makes a great point about acoustics being only one aspect of 
conservation. I'm sure Wayne Van Kirk and others would agree. I find it 
consistent with guidance at the ICOMOS website (International Council of 
Monuments and Sites) that Isabel thoughtfully and gently provided.

As I interpret that guidance, acoustics comes under its protection. But 
surely only in balance. And only if it adds value to the preservation of 
archaeological heritage.

The Venice Charter (1964) seems to underlie most of the other statements I 
read. One  of its statements about archaeological heritage:

The common responsibility to safeguard them for future generations is 
recognized. It is our duty to hand them on in the full richness of their 
authenticity.

Example from Article 1 of the Charter for the ''... Protection of National 
Heritage" defined the archaeological heritage:

The "archaeological heritage" is that part of the material heritage in 
respect of which archaeological methods provide primary information. It 
comprises all vestiges of human existence and consists of places relating to 
all manifestations of human activity, abandoned structures, and remains of 
all kinds (including subterranean and underwater sites), together with all 
the portable cultural material associated with them.

Preservation of archaeological acoustic heritage is not a new idea. Two 
examples.

Steve Waller is a spokesman for preservation of acoustical heritage, 
particularly at rock art sites. He's paid his dues by documenting and 
publishing ethnographic studies of rock art acoustics. He, I, and others are 
unable to systematically investigate the acoustics at many significant rock 
art sites, usually because of transportation noise masking.

Stanford University archaeologist John Rick is part of a team intending to 
document the acoustics of a Moche underground passage in Peru. The team is 
racing to document those acoustics before they are erased by tourism. I wish 
we had read about it on Aztlan.

At the temple of Kukulkan, the only acoustical feature I'd enjoy having 
restored is the staircase. Two of the four staircases were restored long 
ago. Replastering those staircases seems archaeologically benign, and will 
strengthen its echo.

Why is the chirped echo culturally significant? I'm told that orthodox 
archaeologists have found no evidence for intentional design of the famous 
spring equinox shadow. It's one of the current problems in archaeology. The 
echo provides such evidence. If this evidence is admissable, it demonstrates 
that acoustics can add value to archaeology.

I admit acoustical evidence is nontraditional. Acoustical evidence is part 
of the trend toward sensorial archaeology.

Best regards,

David Lubman
---------------


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Isabel Villasenor" <m.villasenor at ucl.ac.uk>
To: <aztlan at lists.famsi.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 1:24 PM
Subject: [Aztlan] Replastering


Hi Wayne,
   I take your point but I still think that trying to recreate acoustic
effects would only be one aspect amongst many to take into account in
this case. The Kukulkan's pyramid is probably not the best example
because it has been repointed with Portland cement and therefore
significantly altered. However, replastering would drastically modify
the appearance of the structure, which would have an impact on the
public's perception, especially if replastering is done only in one of
the sides.
   I know this is not a forum dedicated to the discussion of conservation
topics, but this is perhaps relevant since so many archaeologists get
involved in conservation and restoration of archaeological buildings. I
wonder if there are architecture conservators out there who want to add
something to the discussion.
For those wanting to read more on the topic, here's a link with the
charts listed on the ICOMOS website (International Council of Monuments
and Sites), which provide guidelines on the conservation, restoration and
management of cultural heritage:
http://www.international.icomos.org/centre_documentation/chartes_eng.htm

Isabel.



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


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