Notes from the Field
 Kaminaljuyú Sculpture Project, Guatemala

In the morning we scanned a carved stone mask that was mounted on the wall. This turned out to be one of the easier scans, and produced very nice scan data. About midmorning we returned to problematic alter 1 from Naranjo. This time we changed tactics using a different lens and scanning strategy. We were done the monument in less than two hours producing I think the finest scan so far. This was the last piece to do at Museo Popol Vuh so we packed up and headed to the National Museum. Once again the staff of the Museum was open and accommodating. We were able to scan one good size stela this afternoon. What’s kind of funny about this piece is when the scan was done everyone noticed that there was a face inscribes on the stela. I am really looking forward to spending time at the National Museum because I think there are many important pieces that need to be scanned and made available to researchers.

The alter from Naranjo was very problematic because there are lots of cracks and curved areas on the stone which makes the piecing together of the individual scans difficult. By the end of the day the Naranjo Alter did not come out as hope for so we will try again tomorrow. Although the alter did not turn out I think today was very successful because there were lot of school kids the came through and were able to see us work. I think it is really great that the local schools are utilizing this museum as a resource. Almost everyday we were here there has been numerous school groups, and the educators at the museum are really doing a great job.

Today we got a visit from Stephen Houston, an epigrapher from Brown University. He seemed to be very impressed with the laser scanning technology and suggested a few pieces for us to do. The pieces that Stephen Houston recommended we scan were ceramic vessels with hieroglyphic text, and an alter from Naranjo with hieroglyphic text. This actually worked out well because it gave us a chance to try out the turntable with the small ceramics. By the end of the day were completed four pieces of ceramics in addition to the other carved stone pieces scanned in the morning. I think I am most impressed with the use of laser scanning for incised ceramics. The results are remarkable.

Today we scanned several artifacts that were located on the 3rd floor of the Museo Popol Vuh. The small pieces that included several silhouetted figures really came out great. There was another piece, a large reptilian figure that turned out to be very difficult. Curves seem to be a problem when trying to match the individual scans together, but it is good in the sense that we are learning how the scanner operates. The last piece for the day was a small “potbellied” figure. This piece is amazing. Since it was a small artifact it was very easy to move the scanner around it to capture the piece from every angle resulting so the scan had very little missing data. Lots of fun.

For our first day of laser scanning for this trip we began at the Popol Vuh museum. All in all things went rather smoothly, with only what turned out to be a few minor glitches. It was a very successful day with four pieces being scanned by 4:30. One of the main reasons I think the work went so well today was due to the museum staff. The staff of the Popol Vuh was exceptionally helpful, accommodating, and quite interested in the project. The museum itself is a must see if in Guatemala City. The displays are all well done, with really great lighting and text. I am really looking forward to spending a few more days at the Popol Vuh.

Today was the first full day in Guatemala for Mimi and I. After a nice breakfast we all took a trip to Antigua, and the villages of Santo Maria de Jesus, and Aguas Calientes. Antigua is a beautiful city in the Guatemala Highlands with incredible weather, amazing colonial architecture, and a remarkable view of Volcano Agua. Of the other places that we visited today my favorite was Santo Maria de Jesus for a couple of reasons. One being the numerous different villages being represented by the women’s traditional dress, or traje, which Travis has a keen eye for. Another reason was that there was some sort of political event happing, which I thought was kind of fascinating because there were clowns for the kids and games for the adults, a little something for everyone.