Tourism project upgrades Maya sites

Ever since Dr. David Pendergast unearthed the jade head at Altun Ha in 1967, the science of archaeology and the business of tourism have been inextricably linked in the development of Belize. Recently a project has been initiated that formally recognises the economic value of our ancient Maya sites and seeks to improve their appearance and accessibility. News 5’s Jose Sanchez travelled west for a look.

Jose Sanchez

Belize is part of a network of Central American countries, whose people, culture and history form the Mayan world. And in order to promote tourism, the government has invested fourteen million U.S. dollars to preserve and consolidate the country’s major archaeological sites.

Dr. Allan Moore, Project Dir., Tourism Dev. Project

“Belize has potential in its archaeological tourism. However, for us to be competitive we would have to tap in on these resources, develop them and have a showcase or anchor site for us to be competitive and parallel with our other regional Mundo Maya countries such as Guatemala and it’s Tikal, Mexico and it’s Chichen Itza.”

“Our government saw it fit to actually make a programme of it and design the project in a way so that we would develop many sites rather than one site. Government entered a loan agreement with the I.D.B. for a substantial amount of funds to invest in the tourism development project package and that’s where we are right now.”

One of the sites that has been under massive revamping since January 2001 is Maiden of the Rock, better known as Xunantunich.

Jaime Awe, Archaeological Co-ordinator, Tourism Dev. Project

“Obviously the focal point of our work at Xunantunich is the Castillo which is obviously directly behind us. That is one of the tallest structures in Belize and probably more people climb that in a year than any other public architecture in Belize, so we’ve conserved the whole front of it.”

“There are different or varying degrees of conservation. One type is called reconstruction where you completely rebuild the structure the way you think it used to be. But many of us tend to prefer to be a bit more conservative. What we prefer is what we call consolidation. Where you conserve the architecture you found and you don’t rebuild things you really don’t know, you are not sure existed in the past. And that’s generally the approach that we are doing here.”

That approach includes using construction methods probably not all that different from the ancient Maya. The project has established a quarry on site and workers have been cutting limestone formations into blocks. By the time the project finishes the workmen will shape an estimated five tons of blocks, each one according to the exact specifications of the archaeologists. But during the interview with Jaime Awe, just a few feet away some of the workers were uncovering some of Xunantunich’s treasure.

Jaime Awe

“What we got there are three eccentric flints. About three or four days ago we found about five of them up here, and we were a little surprise because usually we find these objects in groups of nine. The reasons for nine is that nine represent the number of levels in the underworld. So we have five of them and I think the other five are right behind you. Carolyn has three of them exposed there. With the five that we have, that makes eight. It should be four…Careful! As you c an see, archaeology can sometimes be very dangerous to your health.”

The project is unique because it employs local women. Belizean women have not traditionally had the opportunity to participate in the excavating process.

Rosa Martinez

“I feel very proud to be one of the first Belizean females working in Archaeology and I think more women should try and do this because it’s very nice and you gain a lot of experience and it’s different.”

“I have never had a job before this. I was just being a housewife and it was nice, but this has made me feel a lot better, more accomplished in life. “

Lucy Martinez

“Today we found a jade bead which is really exciting. I was so happy I screamed, I can’t express myself.”

Jose Sanchez

“You ever done anything like this before?”

Lucy Martinez

“No, I’ve never done archaeology before. It’s my first time and I’m enjoying it very much. Before I used to do front desk, and that was a big change for me, but I’m enjoying it.”

One of the more exciting parts of the project is the restoration of the frieze on the main temple. Because of exposure to the elements the east frieze has deteriorated. The process of repairing it has called for the artistic talents of Gustavo Vanlenzuela.

Gustavo Vanlenzuela, Conservator

“In order to save them or conserve them, we have to do an actual drawing to scale measuring every depth, thickness, length of the monument. The next step is to produce a mould but we can’t produce it from the original because it would peel off a lot of plaster from the original. So we take the drawing and start a replica of the original. We use clay, cinder blocks, stones, and it is constructed to actual size. We then paste over the rubber latex, which we use to make the mould. Once the mould is done we flip it over and then we pour fibreglass on it to make the replica. That way we can cover the original and then place the fibreglass replica over it and will conserve the original for a long time.”

When completed it will look as natural as the west frieze, which has already been covered. And while the work continues everyone is proud of their role in the project.

Mark Harris

“I’m really excited out here working. I get a lot of experience. I found a lot of pottery. I really like to do this type of work. It’s the first time I’m doing this type of work here in Xunantunich.”

Agapito Chuc

“We want to discover what our parents had before us. We are glad to see what we have inside, the treasures they left for us. So we are trying to take it out and show to our children that are coming behind.”

In the past a project of this nature would rely heavily on the expertise of foreigners, but not anymore.

Jose Sanchez

“In addition to the field work, the project is directed and supervised entirely by Belizeans, which shows that we can contribute to the conservation process and preserve our own heritage for future generations to enjoy. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.”

Other Maya sites included in the project are Caracol, Altun Ha, Lamanai and Cahal Pech.