Xunantunich

The Xunantunich project, a collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Department of Archaeology in Belize aimed to understand more fully the processes of deterioration in humid, tropical environments and to develop methods for conservation of architectural and decorative stone, stucco, and mortar. Xunantunich, an ancient Maya city inhabited between C.E. 700 and 1100 was chosen as the project site because it offered an opportunity to integrate conservation practice with an ongoing archaeological excavation.

• A laboratory and field-testing program researching the use of chemical consolidants for strengthening limestone and the use of biocides for controlling microflora growth
• Solar-powered environmental monitoring stations at the site to record weather data, which is being used to define test conditions for artificial aging tests in the laboratory
• A three-year on-site program, both at Xunantunich and at the site of Copán in Honduras, for training technicians from the Belize Department of Archaeology in the principles and methods of architectural conservation
• Study and conservation by specialists from Mexico’s Instituto Nacional Antropología e Historia of the remains of a stucco frieze that originally surrounded all four sides of the largest pyramidal structures discovered during excavation

At Xunantunich, the Getty Conservation Institute worked with archaeologists from UCLA and the Department of Archaeology in Belize to address some of the problems of conserving archaeological sites in humid tropical environments. The collaborative project focused on several areas: scientific research and testing to understand the processes of deterioration of limestone and stucco in humid, tropical environments; conservation of excavated Maya structures; and practical training in architectural conservation and workshops on management planning.

The University of California, Los Angeles; the Department of Archaeology in Belize