This report is a description of the materials, methods and techniques used to repair the Mask on Structure N9 -56 at the site of Lamanai in the Orange Walk District of Belize. Lamanai is the longest continuously occupied site in the Maya lowlands, evidence of occupation goes back to 1000 BC. N9-56 was used as a ceremonial centre for around 1500 years, and it was periodically rebuilt over the course of this time. Its most distinctive feature in evidence today is the very large limestone Mask and its side panels.

N9-56 stands 20m high and consists of a series of five major successive building phases; the primary structure was built in the Pre Classic about 200 BC, the latest modifications made in the Late Classic around AD 800 after which the temple fell into disrepair but some ceremonial activity continued for another 400-500 years. The Early Classic phase was built in AD 450 over the top of the Pre Classic building, which was partially demolished, and this phase had four masks on the front of the building; it is the one on the lower southside which is the concern of this report. In AD 500 the upper masks were covered over, and around AD 550 extra terraces were added to the top of the structure and the lower masks were covered by stairs. The Mask was an important architectural feature to the Maya for over one hundred years, and because it was covered by the stair and large amounts of masonry it was still in surprisingly good condition when uncovered nearly 1500 years later.

Full report runs to 28 pages of text and 47 photographs