Image - Cacao Pod Vessel - K6706 © Justin Kerr FAMSI © 2006:
Takeshi Inomata
 

Documentation of Floor Assemblages from Aguateca, Guatemala

Documentation Project

This extraordinary collection of complete and reconstructible objects deserves even more thorough documentation beyond standardized classification. Thus, in the present project, the researchers drew and photographed a large portion of artifacts, significantly expanding the graphic data set of Aguateca materials. More specifically, this study consisted of the following components:

Restoration of objects

The project members have completed the refitting and reconstruction of excavated objects. Daniela Triadan (University of Arizona) and Estela Pinto (Universidad de San Carlos) supervised Guatemalan students, Marco Antonio Monroy, Pablo Rodas, Elisa Jiménez, and Diego Guerra, who were responsible for the reconstruction of ceramic vessels. The total of 480 vessels was recorded as whole or reconstructed vessels. Harriet Beaubien (Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education) and her conservation interns have treated particularly important and delicate objects.

Figure 1. Restoration of a vessel: refitting of fragments.

Figure 2. Gluing pieces of the bottom part of vessel.

Figure 3. Restoration: placing a rim piece.

Figure 4. Restored vessels.

Figure 5. Treatment by conservators: cleaning and restoration of a polychrome vase.

Figure 6. Restoration of a ceramic flute.

Figure 7. Restoration of a ceramic bowl.

Figure 8. Restoration of a large storage vessel by conservators.

Figure 9. Restored large storage vessel.

Kazuo Aoyama refitted lithic artifacts, and Triadan examined figurines. Inomata refitted other formal objects, including grinding stones, bone tools, and greenstone objects. Although it was nearly impossible to reconstruct large, plain vessels, other smaller objects were more fully refitted.

Drawing

Alfredo Román (Universidad de San Carlos) has drawn a significant number of complete and reconstructed objects. Aoyama has drawn lithic artifacts. Román has completed drawings of all unique figurines, and bone, shell, greenstone objects. He has drawn a significant number of ceramic vessels, including all of the relatively well reconstructed vessels.

Photograph

Inomata, Triadan, and Diego Guerra were in charge of photography. Inomata and Triadan have photographed all reconstructible figurines, bone objects, shell objects, grinding stones, and greenstone objects. Inomata and Guerra have also photographed all of the complete and reconstructible ceramic vessels.

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