Recurring damages on earthen heritage. Diagnosis and possible interventions in the highlands of Jujuy (Argentina)

Abstract

A significant number of the existing National Historical Monuments in the highlands of northwestern Argentina are built with different earthen constructive techniques. These architecures, which correspond mostly to colonial and republican times, have presented damage of different severity over time, associated with both environmental and anthropic factors, including conservation actions. Since the first half of the 20th century, different institutions carried out systematic conservation projects on this heritage using foreign techniques and materials, which instead of favoring their consolidation caused new damages.This paper sets out to recognize which are the usual damages in this architectural heritage, considering their mechanisms of degradation, and observing the implications of the interventions carried. Finally, based on the working experience in the area, the recommendations from different researches and international standards, it will be possible to recognize potential forms of intervention consistent with these technologies and with the corpus of local knowledge.This paper will focus in different case studies in the Puna and Quebrada de Humahuaca, based on field and laboratory research carried out in recent years, specifically focused on the study of current and historical earthen constructive technologies. As part of these reaserches, there were made various diagnoses and intervention proposals that will also be included in this article.