Architectural Restoration Criteria in the Maya Area

Copán

The tuff stone, which is of volcanic origin, is hard, stable, and easy to carve. Nonetheless, the deterioration usually present in exfoliations (Photo 67, below) is increasingly worrying. At this site, with different component materials, once more the buildings that remained in the shadow were in a much better state of preservation than those which received more sunlight throughout the year.

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Our work went beyond the study of sculpture and restoration, and we focused also on conservation. We decided to preserve the trees as much as we could, with the purpose of giving the buildings a more or less stable environment. In the sunny portions, a reforestation program was urged.

Obviously, delicate materials require a special protection, and the museum represented a wonderful tool. Yet, very important monuments with stuccoes or original sculpture required roofing, like 9N-82 and 9N-67. Unfortunately, we must say that maintenance of these roofs has failed (Photo 55, shown above). In the particular case of the Hieroglyphic Stairway (Photo 68, below) in Copán’s center, it was as well necessary to display a tilt to cover the entire stairway, the stela, and the altar in front of it (Photo 69, below).

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It might be of interest to narrate that when I first arrived to Copán (1975) we were caught in a big storm; the scene was discouraging, because rain water run on the sculpted stairs as a huge cascade, sweeping away thousands of chips of the decomposing stone. My great wish was to do something to stop this, and several years later I was given the opportunity to design a tilt, which was put in place in 1985, and which is still there, protecting the monument.

Certainly, a tilt is not a final solution, but in this case it has accomplished its mission. It is neither an esthetic element, and I believe that no roof, no matter how nicely designed it may be, will be harmoniously integrated with Copán’s architecture. It will always be an intruder element which will change the landscape, but if it is useful to provide protection, then it is justified, even though it may not look good.

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