Advantages of the use of primary sources in the historical investigation of Guatemalan Hispanic architecture

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the advantages of using archival documentary primary sources in architectural history research, that is, using contemporary writings to the construction of a building. In architecture degree training, learning to use this type of media is not contemplated, but if you venture into this field of research, you can discover fascinating and enlightening data on emblematic buildings, as is the case presented here. here about the construction of the cathedral of Santiago de Guatemala, where by consulting primary documentary sources kept in the General Archive of the Indies, it is possible to know data as precise as that "200 bar nails for the falsework" were used or that they were also paid “17 bare skins for ropes and climbing mix and stone”.