Report of the 1998 and 1999 Investigations on the Archaeology and Iconography of the Polychrome Stucco Façade of Structure N10-28, Lamanai, Belize

Technical Aspects

Stucco is sculptured while it is still wet, and is used solely for decorative purposes. It is very similar to plaster, which is a flat, external coat used on walls and floors that contain little or no fine aggregate (<6mm) (Brown 1990:186-187). Figures that were more three-dimensional and decoration were sculpted on stone armatures and tenons, whereas low relief was sculpted against the flat façade background. At Palenque, it has been demonstrated that the artist sketched the design with a black line prior to application (Coe and Kerr 1998:135).

Stucco, depending on the volume, may contain coarse aggregate at times (>6mm). The cementing base for stuccos and plasters is usually lime, although sascab can be used when lime production was limited by mixing it with water. Sascab is a fine powdery aggregate that is chemically similar to lime (Brown 1990:185); It is essentially decomposed limestone and does not need to be fired. A number of studies have been conducted by Brown (1989, 1990) and Littman (1957, 1958a, 1958b, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967), primarily on stucco samples from Comalcalco.

A number of inexpensive tests have been proposed by Brown (1990) to test plasters and stuccos. These include testing unit weight and absorption, compressive strength and Mohs Hardness tests, measuring lime content, and studying carbonation. One study at Kohunlich, México, took samples from several buildings and paved plaza areas of different construction dates. Lime tonnage was estimated for the different areas, reflecting labor that was needed to produce the plaster. Estimates can also be made from lime content of the amount of firewood required to burn the lime for a given structural area (Brown 1989:15). Differences in quality, aggregate size, and hardness were noted from different architectural features, such as stairs, and the paved plaza, with the latter being harder and of a better quality, though it is unclear if this may be related to function (Brown 1990:190; see also Hansen 1998 for microscopic studies of stucco between periods). It is hoped that some estimates can be generated from the wall plaster and stucco of Structure N10-28 concerning labor and resources needed for their production.

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