INAH inaugurates the first virtual archaeological windows in the country

St. John’s Ear, Pue. The delegation of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in Puebla inaugurated this week the first two virtual archaeological windows in the country, which allow two important pre-Hispanic funerary contexts to be preserved in optimal conditions.

In a statement, the agency reported that this system consists of a traditional booklet – with printed texts and photographs – with QR codes, which allow the public to access, via tablets or smartphones, 3D reconstructions of two tombs, called 1 and 3, discovered and explored by the INAH in 2004 and 2023, respectively.

According to archaeologist Alberto Diez-Barroso Repizo, this technology is ideal for urban contexts because traditional archaeological windows – with metal hatches or protective glass – require a considerable investment, as well as constant maintenance, since factors such as sunlight or rain generate humidity, which is a problem for conservation.

Based on a scientific script written by the author and photogrammetry and 3D modeling studies by archaeologist Gibrán Martínez González, and with resources from the city council headed by Santiago Miranda de Aquino, three physical signs were installed on 8th Street North.

Photo Courtesy of INAH

These elements contain four QR codes that lead to digital models: three recreate the ceramic offerings, the architectural space and the human remains of at least 21 individuals recovered from Tomb 3; the remaining one provides context about Tomb 1, characterized by its elaborate mural painting.

Diez-Barroso pointed out that the dates indicate a time period of around 100 AD; however, the materials from Tomb 3 are from approximately 650 AD, and those from Tomb 1, from 700 AD.

Both are associated with the Popoloca or Ngiwa culture, which, although still present in various towns in Puebla, had a broader presence in pre-Hispanic times: “It is known that in ancient Teotihuacán there were Popoloca neighborhoods and, even in the 16th century, it is recorded that in the town of San Juan Teotihuacán there were still speakers of that language.”

In addition to the virtual archaeological windows, in the archaeological contexts of Calle 8 Norte, where the aforementioned tombs lie, bollards were installed to prevent the passage of heavy vehicles.

“When the INAH finished excavating and investigating the tombs, both were consolidated and covered with sifted earth, which is the most appropriate in terms of conservation, so that it can be said that if someone in 50 or 100 years wants to reopen them, they will find them in good condition,” said the expert.

The archaeologist says there are plans to create a museum, together with the authorities of San Juan Ixcaquixtla, to house the numerous finds of ceramic pieces, stone pieces and green stone beads, among other objects, recovered in recent decades in the municipality.