Heritage architecture and Historical archeology: Relationships and projections in the XXI century, case of Cuenca (Ecuador)

Abstract

This research analyzes professional and research efforts to correlate heritage architecture and historical archeology. The Historical Center of Cuenca is used as a case study, an urban segment that, due to its socio-cultural particularities and local processes undertaken, has ample technical and scientific potential to account for the importance of this relationship. Methodologically, the analysis uses a systematic review of the technical reports on prospecting, excavation and intervention carried out between 2008 and 2011 by the Urban Archeology Unit (UAU) and other binding technical and administrative documents. For the study, analytical sheets that synthesize practices, disciplinary relationships and research projections are used. As a result, the low level of interdisciplinary cohesion in the practices, mechanisms and scope of said project is appreciated. In fact, the approach of the 34 goods is framed in the excavation, at the same time, ceramics found denotes as the identified and documented cultural material; other of pre-Hispanic origin have been minimized without discarding their historical interest. This concludes that the basic parameters, management strategies and socialization of heritage are minimal; Archeology has been a means of legitimizing intervention in monumental entities, and it has rarely been a means of integral management. The UAU experience allows to identify complementary disciplinary fields and to propose a roadmap articulated to the professional and research framework for its application in heritage assets with archaeological potential.