Architectural Restoration Criteria in the Maya Area

Kaminaljuyú

After common sense, we have used temporary or permanent roofs as a means to protect cultural assets. My experience with them has been very special. I began to work on mound DIII-1 from Kaminaljuyú, a Maya site located within Guatemala City. The year was 1963, and under the direction of don Gustavo Espinoza, Inspector General of Monuments, both Miguel Orrego and myself had the opportunity to clean with our own hands an incomparable treasure: a number of talpetate modelings in crude and polychrome clay, ornamentally integrated to architecture of an identical material (Photo 32, Photo 33, and Photo 34, shown below). The state of preservation of the modelings was in fact excellent, and the original colors were partially visible.

Adobe is the name given to this kind of construction, although it is not real adobe but a large modeling of talpetate and clay: sand clay and pumice stones: it is perhaps the most difficult material to preserve, it is weak and is affected both by humidity and water scarcity. Thirty seven years ago, however, we built a "provisional" roof with rustic pine wood and zinc sheets, very ventilated, which still stands in place, fulfilling its protecting mission.

The problem I detected during my last visit, which took place in November 2000, was not related to the quality of the roof, which had performed effectively, even though it was in a deplorable condition. The masks modelled as a part of architecture have deteriorated for human causes and the complete absence of expert assistance. In Photo 35, below, we can observe the attempts made to repair one of them, which, according to the vigilant, was damaged during the 1976 earthquake. It is also evident that whoever did this did not have a clue on how to do it right, and lacked any artistic ability. Compare with Photo 32, 1963.

Click on image to enlarge

The characters seen in Photo 33 and Photo 34, as also other modelled elements, of which I have no illustrations at hand, are completely gone due to human factors we shall not discuss at this time. However, it is evident that the mask fraction which is not so easily reachable by people (Photo 36, below) still shows a good state of preservation (Photo 37, and Photo 38, belwo). In this case, the roof proved effective and has accomplished its protecting mission.

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

We may similarly describe the section known as "La Palangana", whose roof still stands forty years after it was built. The structures it protects have also been damaged, mostly as a consequence of human action and the occasional penetration of rainwater, rather than for the years gone by.

Previous Page  |  Table of Contents  |  Next Page

Return to top of page