Architectural Restoration Criteria in the Maya Area

Conclusions

At the time of writing this small book, our purpose had nothing to do with transforming archaeologists into restorers, but rather, to provide them with some clear and brief standpoints on which they could be able to decide the most convenient methodology in the most frequent cases. With the same purpose and based on the above, we are defining a number of major conclusions, as follows:

1. Monuments, being unique, irrepeatable, historic and esthetical, must be preserved for their cultural value and as a remembrance of the past, to transcend into the future as witnesses before the generations to come (R. Larios, 1997:63).

2. No one is entitled to change history or to eliminate the traces of the past by substituting missing portions with lies. Therefore, restoration must respect the architectural composition and most of all, it must be in harmony with such composition and nature, by all means avoiding hypothesis.

3. The archaeological investigation, as also the restoring interventions, must perform as a single team, coordinately, and never in competition but as complementary disciplines.

4. It is understood that climate and microclimate stability are key factors. Deforestation represents, in any case, a danger to conservation, as it favors and stimulates extreme climatic changes between heat and cold, humidity and dryness, wind and rain, etc.

5. Shady areas not only provide for a rather stable climate, but also favor the visit of tourists in a pleasant environment.

6. Rain waters must be drained as quickly as possible, and like the Maya did, we shall not use water proof materials, as these could be damaging, but instead, the appropriate inclines so that water runs freely and is quickly removed, avoiding excessive filtration.

7. No restoration project may be undertaken unless the responsible conservation authorities become aware of the need to maintain the works completed through permanent cares.

8. The major goal in an archaeological-touristic project, is the preservation of monuments and their environments, not for the worth of foreign currency but for an asset that money cannot buy: its cultural significance, which involves the historic identity of the people who owns the asset, not as a particular or isolated fact but rather, as a part of the culture of human kind.

9. Finally, I thank God for giving me the chance to complete this work, and most certainly, I am particularly in debt with FAMSI for supporting the process. I’m also in debt with all the good friends that helped me: Alfonso Morales, Richard Leventhal, William Fash, and particularly, Dr. Alejandro Martínez, National Coordinator of Archaeology in the Republic of México.

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