EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DOCTORAL THESIS

THE ARCHITECTURAL COMPOSITION AND THE CONSERVATION OF MONUMENTAL MAYA CONSTRUCTIONS IN THE NORTHEAST OF PETÉN


Doctorate of: Óscar Antonio Quintana Samayoa

Thesis supervisor: Gaspar Muñoz Cosme
Department of Architectural Compositions


The investigation was undertaken in the central Maya lowlands (the northeastern quadrant of Petén, Guatemala). The main focus is placed on the monumental constructions made of stone, erected between 500 BC and 1697 AD. This timeframe corresponds to the Late Preclassic, Classic and Post Classic Period of the Maya civilization. The foundations of this work can be found in various test drillings in the field which led to an actual and systematic sample of 128 sites with approximately 4000 registered constructions.

This study firstly describes the background and the method applied. Subsequently, the results of the investigation on the architectural composition (chapters 3 to 7) and the state of conservation (chapters 8 to 11) are presented. Then the results of the investigation and the already undertaken actions are combined to present suggestions for further actions, conservation and the specific development of the northeastern quadrant of Petén (chapter 12).

The urban composition and architectural forms of prehispanic buildings of that region have never been subject to a systematic investigation. Nor did any knowledge of the conditions and actual state of conservation of these monumental buildings exist. In this context this study is breaking completely new ground. The results confirm that the zone of northeastern Petén has to be a priority for the investigation of architectural composition and that corrective actions have to be taken urgently to save the constructed prehispanic heritage and consequently the cultural legacy of the Maya culture.

The conclusions clearly show that it is absolutely necessary to instill a sense of urgency to come to rescue this exceptional territory. On the quest for how to proceed with the efforts of conservation – always bearing in mind the general applicability for the whole study region – it has been proved that preventive conservation could be an answer to save the constructed monumental heritage from the state of emergency in which it currently finds itself.