Project Objectives
The Maya Initiative addresses important and complementary issues regarding the conservation of cultural heritage within the Maya region. The objectives of the project are to improve conservation practice in the region and to foster collaboration among the countries of the area through:

• development of methodologies and research on conservation issues;
• transfer of knowledge to technicians and site managers;
• establishment of reference documents and training;
• dissemination and promotion of the results;
• support for development of local, national and regional network.

Project Overview
Maya civilization developed from 1800 BCE to 1200 CE, in a 400,000 sq. km area that includes parts of present-day Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. The Maya created a rich culture, known for its advanced knowledge, sculpture, wall paintings, and elaborate artifacts, and large and complex cities and temples.

For reasons not yet fully understood, the Maya civilization began to decline in the ninth century. Cities were abandoned and in time overtaken by nature. Since the 19th century, the remains of these sites have been progressively excavated—often partially reconstructed and generally left unprotected from natural elements. As a result, many sites are suffering the effects of vegetation growth, climate forces, and looting, in addition to more recent threats posed by the development of mass tourism. As a result of work completed by the Maya Initiative, sites can anticipate improved preventive conservation as well as improved site management—including training, outreach and coordination.

The Maya Initiative stems from previous GCI involvement in the region and from requests from national authorities. To this end, a cooperative agreement was signed in Merida, Mexico, by representatives from the following governmental organizations: the Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes, El Salvador, the Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e Historia, Honduras, the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, México, and the Vice Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Guatemala. Through meetings held at several Maya sites and at the Getty Center project members identified conservation issues of common interest, specific conservation-related needs, as well as areas of potential collaboration.

The Maya Initiative aims to reinforce and develop conservation practices through collaborative efforts in order to address common regional conservation problems. The project focuses on the development of management planning practices at the sites and on the conservation of elements that exemplify problems shared throughout the Maya region.

Two World Heritage sites were selected for the project—Joya de Cerén, El Salvador (Component One) and Copán, Honduras (Component Two). Both components include training and capacity building for professionals and technicians, which are integrated at all stages of the project and adapted to specific conditions at the site.

Last updated: February, 2006