Informe del deterioro y propuesta para la conservación de la zona arqueológica de Malinalco, Estado de México

Abstract

The Aztec monolithic temples at Malinalco are carved on a basaltic tuff over an artificial terrace of the "Cerro de los ldolos". Climate, horography and geology are know, as in the hisrory of the site since its construction. Petrographic and X-ray Diffraction anallsis were performed as well as the determination of porosity and density on samples of stone with and without deterioration. The stone is a basaltic palagonized tuff with felspars (albite), ferromagnesian minerals (clinopiroxenos), smectite, ilmenite, smithite, fayalire and rodonite. The weathered samples has less albite and clinohumite but more smectite; ilmenite disappears due to its trasformation to tayalite. The main deterioration agent is percolating ra¡n water that promotes hidrolisis of the minerals, and is noted that deterioration rate has a direct relation to porosity, Lichens foliosa sp. are present. Recomended conservation measures were to carve drain courses around the constructions, to keep the protecting roof and to apply a lichens control Program.