Looking down. Archaeological windows as instruments of dialogue and heritage enhancement

Abstract

This article examines archaeological windows as urban devices capable of linking the past and the present in contemporary public space. Through a critical analysis of two recent interventions in Lima’s Historic Center—the Plazuela del Teatro and the side atrium of the Church of Santo Domingo—it reflects on the technical, narrative, and ethical challenges involved in making the heritage subsoil visible. The essay argues that these windows should not be understood solely as solutions for protection or display, but also as discursive tools that reveal the social, political, and cultural dynamics of the past. It examines how the exposure of colonial hydraulic systems or distinct funerary practices generates new urban interpretations that link heritage, memory, and identity. Furthermore, the essay discusses the museographic, technical, and symbolic implications of these interventions and emphasizes the need for a technical assessment, effective cultural mediation, and citizen participation in the management of archaeological heritage. Looking down—both literally and metaphorically—is presented as a way to engage with urban history from the present, recognizing the multiple layers that make up the city. The article adopts an essayistic structure with an interdisciplinary approach that integrates urban planning, archaeology, and memory.