writes 
Please help save an exceptional and surprisingly unknown site in Northern Peru already designated out of bounds by the Peruvian Institute of Culture. - by Melissa MASSAT
QUEBRADA DE
SANTO DOMINGO:
SAVE GEOGLYPHS IN NORTHERN PERU
Camino Largo
In northern Peru, about 20 km east of the city of Trujillo is a highly endangered
archaeological site located in the Quebrada de Santo Domingo, a very historical
and scenic 32 square-km dry river valley . Opening onto the Moche River Valley
and cradled by the colourful Cerro Colorado mountain range, it is strategically
located between the archaeological complexes of Cerro Oreja (Galinazo Period)
and Cerro Arena (Salinar Period), and faces north across an impressive series
of Saharan style sand dunes towards the Caballo Muerto/Galindo Complex. Located
about five km from the well known Moche Huaca de la Luna and just south of the
Chavimochic irrigation canal, the area was designated intangible by the Peruvian
Institute of Culture.
Schematic human figure
The archaeological evidence in this valley indicates human ritual
activity from the Lithic Period to Intermedio Tardio Period 10,000 B.C - 1400
A.D.) and includes shelters, platforms, canals, ceremonial paths (one very long
one of 10 meters wide), as well as many stone point and tool workshops.
Most impressive and most endangered is a dense distribution of geoglyphs
dating from 5000 B.C to 600 A.D. depicting zoomorphs, anthropomorphs, hunting
scenes and complex spirals (use the links below to view some photos).
Triple spiral
The archaeological structures, as well as the varied flora
and fauna, were up until now, very well preserved because of their inaccessibility.
However, in the past two years the local Chavimochic Irrigation Canal authorities
have clandestinely organised the quarrying, bulldozing, and distribution -
even sale - of lots of land in this so called intangible zone.
Strangely enough the inventory, photos or articles relating to this vast archaeological
zone have never been published and the INC has turned a blind eye to the illegal
exploitation by the Chavimochic and municipal engineers, for "lack of funds"
or political connivance. Obviously, once thee entire zone is bulldozed, there
will be no need to protect it.
Lot marker next to INC (Peruvian Institute of Culture) marker in
protected zone
A local guide, Victor Corcuera, is leading an active campaign
with limited resources to alert authorities and the press - but the Trujillo
area is already dominated by the Huaca de la Luna (research funded by private
donations and foreign scientific organizations) and Chan Chan, an endangered
world heritage monument managed by the INC. The local archaeologists are reticent
to protest the destruction of the zone, because the INC controls their activity
and careers. The local public is so accustomed to living on old tombs and finding
prehispanic pottery on their land that one more archaeological site in their
back yard is hardly a surprise.
I do believe that anyone who has the slightest interest in early human settlements
and Rock Art will agree that this particular site is worth saving. Its strategic
and well defined geographical position at the crossroads of a large span of
prehispanic and colonial settlements so precariously close to uncontrolled urban
and agricultural development; its precious treasures of geoglyphs, lithic structures,
stone workshops; its wildlife and breathtakingly beautiful scenery which have
survived centuries of El Niño's, winds and pillage make it a most valuable
natural and prehistoric landscape and thus an important research base for archaeologists,
ecologists, geologists, and anthropologists concerned with urban development
and the environment.
Felino Moche
Peru is a signatory to the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of
the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and should be bound to preserve all
its archaeological sites. My request for help presumes that international
pressure may lead the local people and authorities to realize the treasure
they are destroying and includes organizing a petition to send to Peruvian
authorities, writing heads-up to international press, mobilising the international
community of archaeological professionals and amateurs to learn about and
research this spectacular site, and seeking aid and development organisations'
help to solve the urban-growth problem which so menaces the historical and
natural environment.
While Ulf Bertilsson, ICOMOS President of the International Rock Art Committee
has pointed out "the crucial issue" of the risk of destruction of
Rock Art by tourism, it is imperative to honour the UNESCO Recommendation
Concerning the Preservation of Cultural Property Endangered by Public or Private
Works which considers "that cultural property is the product and witness
of the different traditions and of the spiritual achievements of the past
and thus is an essential element in the personality of the peoples of the
world".
Geoglyphs (human schematic figures) damaged
by vehicle tracks
