Analysis of Stucco Floors from the Citadel of the Archaeological Zone of Teotihuacan, Mexico
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ANALYSIS OF STUCCO FLOORS FROM THE CITADEL OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE OF TEOTIHUACAN, MEXICO Luis Torres Montes1, Manuel Reyes García1, Julie Gazzola2 and Sergio Gómez2 1 Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 México, D. F. México 2 Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan, INAH, Teotihuacan, México ABSTRACT Severe decay of the stone façade of the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, one of the more remarkable structures in the World Heritage Site archaeological zone of Teotihuacan, Mexico, is caused by the presence of humidity and salt crystallization. The floors were analyzed to determine whether water and salts were filtering up from the ground and to find a way to reduce the penetration of water. Analyses of the lime plaster and organic matter were carried out by traditional wet chemical methods in order to discover the possible recipe that is the basis of the technology used by Pre-Columbian masons. The presence of an organic mucilage and fiber was identified. The organic components of the floors were analyzed using FTIR of extracts, while mucilage from leaves of a local cactus, Opuntia sp, that is used traditionally as a cementing material in plasters, was analyzed for comparative purposes to determine whether the mucilage was also used in pre-Columbian times. X-ray spectrometry and x- ray diffraction were also used to complement the study to identify the mineralogy of the plasters. This study shows that the Teotihuacanos used a composite material that has great durability, permitting the survival of the floors for almost 2000 years, but that also is succeptible to damage in a modern, stressed environment with high tourist traffic. INTRODUCTION The pyramid of Quetzacoatl is located in the great plaza of the Citadel, or Ciudadela, in the archaeological zone of Teotihuacan, México, that dates to the first or second centuries A.D. This structure is probably the most beautiful building on the site and is inscribed on the list of World Heritage sites. In the last few years the stone sculptures on its main façade have suffered serious decay due to the presence of humidity and crystallization of salts. Since a water-well was discovered in the interior of the pyramid, it was necessary to examine the pre-Columbian drainage system in order to determine if the water was filtering from the surrounding area and, if this was the case, undertake measures to prevent further filtration. One of the first steps was to perform the analysis of the remaining ancient floors and plasters that cover the plaza and the pre-Columbian drainage. To date, no studies of Teotihuacan plaster floors have been reported in the literature, although some analysis of the wall plaster has been conducted. SAMPLING AND MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION Three different samples of floor plaster were removed for analysis. Each was a fragment of 15 cm by 15 cm and 3 to 4 cm thick. All three samples are thought to be contemporaneous with the pyramid, based in our knowledge of the architecture. The three samples were examined with a binocul
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