Remains of great importance in the Archaeological Zone of Tula, such as the Atlantean friezes and the Ball Court, are severely damaged, so it is urgent that the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) conduct a study to stop the damage, demanded archaeologist Pedro Cardoso Reyes.
He said that the archaeological zone was discovered 72 years ago, “and in the last 70 years, the National School of Restoration has not made an appearance. So, those who have done the consolidations are archaeologists. Therefore, they may have good intentions, but they do not have the materials or the technique to solve the problem they face.”
After a tour, Pedro Cardoso explained that part of the destruction that exists is derived from poorly done consolidations or restorations. Regarding the damage he observed, he said that the most worrying thing is what is happening in the Coatepantli, a space that reflects the greatness of the Toltec culture, located at the base of building B, on the north and east walls, where the loss of most of the friezes has already been recorded.
“Of 51 friezes, 25 were completely lost, four are in good condition and the remaining 22 are deteriorated, more than forty percent. They are crumbling, falling apart, layer by layer, it is called cleavage. And the destruction is the result of the fact that they placed a tin roof, which prevents the sun, water and air from doing their job, since they were created to be outdoors,” he explained.
And he explained that some stones that have a white shade indicate the presence of calcium sulphate or calcium carbonate, also known as saltpeter, which indicates that there is a water load from the interior.
The quarry stones, he explained, are suffering from an imbalance, due to a natural water overload. He said that when trying to consolidate some pieces, layers of lime were applied to them, but the humidity caused them to be lost, as they are now fragmenting. The disease that many stones have is called hydrolysis. To prevent this, the institute placed a “cannon”, which serves to bring in air and neutralize the humidity, but that accelerated their destruction.
The Atlantes, he said, are also already very damaged, as are the steles, as fragments are falling off. He also pointed out the buildings, such as the ball courts, from which stones have fallen off.
Today, due to use, the staircase of Ball Court 1 is severely damaged, apparently due to maintenance work, as not having the necessary tools, when removing the grass, holes are left that accelerate its destruction. And in other cases, the holes are the result of looting pits. But that is not so worrying because the stones are there and can be rebuilt without any problem.
Pedro Cardoso suggested that the base archaeologist should present a consolidation and restoration project, so that specialists, who could be from the National School of Restoration, can carry out the work in Tula at no cost and with a minimum investment because only the purchase of lime is required.
Regarding the announcement made by the President of the Republic Claudia Sheinbaum regarding the ratification of the head of the INAH, Diego Prieto Hernández, it is taken by Pedro Cardoso with reservation, since he considers that the archaeological zone of Tula has been very abandoned.
The archaeologist from Tula, Pedro Cardoso has carried out important restorations in Tula, under the supervision of the INAH, including the Zapata II and Los Petrograbados de La Malinche, the bridge of the Río Rosas and recently the Cathedral of San José de Tula.
Source: elsoldehidalgo
