Archaeological Restoration and Heritage Actions in Ollantaytambo

Abstract

This article is concerned with the history of restoration work carried out over the last 40 years or so in the Inca site of Ollantaytambo, in the Cuzco region of Peru. The information gathered comes mainly from interviews conducted with professionals relevant to the study, as well as from archival work. Rather than dwelling on the appropriateness or not of the technical solutions implemented, from the point of view of international standards and expectations, the focus lies on the underlying reasons that have driven changes in the site´s physical appearance. Factors like restoration principles at work during the various interventions, the role of photography and visibility, the delicate relationship between tangible and intangible heritage, and the influence of tourism in an area visually inspired by the powerful imaginaries of Machu Picchu are explored. Some of the problems identified are associated with processes of puesta en valor, monumentalism, the influence of foreign models, and the role of architect-restorers. It will be argued that the site´s restoration history is problematic in ways that invite critical reassessment and engagement with current international debates on conservation and restoration concepts and practices, like authenticity.

Fabrication Methods of the Polygonal Masonry of Large Tightly-fitted Stone Blocks with Curved Surface Interfaces in Megalithic Structures of Peru

“…Thus, the signs of a recent construction (casting) and/or unsuccessful restoration 24 (Fortress Sacsayhuaman, the Tarawasi complex) are: cracks in blocks, traces of concrete mortar application, layered structure of disintegrated blocks (including the so-called "melted" stones), large gaps between blocks and non-parallelism of these gaps, falling apart polygonal masonry, failure to completely demount the masonry.…”

“…When, according to a number of signs, we see that some blocks of a polygonal masonry are made by casting/sculpting of a concrete-like material, that, unfortunately, takes place in many known Peruvian monuments, before us are either a fake of recent times or unsuccessful repair/restoration. 24 Fig. 1 shows an approximate view of the cast polygonal masonry of blocks tightly-abutted to each other.…”

“…Cusco (V. M. Soroka, 2021). thus these exfoliations should rather be attributed to the results of natural stone destruction 54 or unsuccessful restoration/conservation 24 .…”

“…The tired stones are scattered in a picturesque mess along the road leading from the quarry to the Fortress Ollantaytambo. 6,13 How could the tired stones have lain for hundreds of years on a road side (some right on the road) 94,95 and even in the town limits 24,96,97,98,99 and not disappear anywhere? The Indians did not worship stone parallelepipeds.…”

Fabrication Methods of the Polygonal Masonry of Large Tightly-fitted Stone Blocks with Curved Surface Interfaces in Megalithic Structures of Peru

“…When, according to a number of signs, we see that some blocks of a polygonal masonry are made by casting/sculpting of a concrete-like material, that, unfortunately, takes place in many known Peruvian monuments, before us are either a fake of recent times or unsuccessful repair/restoration. 23 Error! Reference source not found.…”