The symposium was held at the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, located in Guatemala City. The country of Guatemala is home to more than 3,000 archaeological sites, and important efforts have been made over time to foster the knowledge and preservation of these sites through research and the annual presentation of the fieldwork conducted by all archaeologists involved in Guatemalas ancient heritage. Photo: Thomas Roby

The museum displays a large collection of artifacts, including carved sculptures, stelae, and ritual altars originating from important Classic Maya sites like Tikal and Naranjo. Photo: Thomas Roby

The panel organized by the GCI for the symposium was titled "Archaeological Sites in the Maya Area: A Conservation Challenge" and was composed of archaeologists, conservators, and site managers from throughout the Maya region. Arq. Juan Antonio Valdez, of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, moderated the panel. Photo: Carolina Castellanos

The panel was very successful and well attended; the audience actively participated in discussions and animated the debates by addressing a variety of questions to the panelists, reflecting the interests and concerns of the symposium participants for the conservation of Guatemalas heritage. Photo: Françoise Descamps