MISE Á JOUR/ UPDATE / AL DÍA 20/02/04
Thanks to TRACCE, the SOS is reaching to far corners of the world.
QUEBRADA DE
SANTO DOMINGO:
SAVE GEOGLYPHS IN NORTHERN PERU UPDATE
by Melissa
MASSAT
Response is dismay, but also amazement and admiration for
the rich archaeological heritage of Peru.
From UNESCO Lima, I have received word that my concerns have been transmitted
to the World Heritage Centre in Paris.
Another Internet Site has joined the campaign to Save the Quebrada de Santo
Domingo : About.com /thanks to Kris Hirst http://archaeology.about.com/b/a/065997.htm
( plea... ) But the printed press remains silent.
In a meeting yesterday with the regional directrice of the Instituto Nacional
de Cultura, Victor Corcuera was told that Lima is "buzzing about the Quebrada
de Santo Domingo" and that she offers "carte blanche" or an open invitation
to any archaeologist or institution which can come to investigate the site.
You probably know that Peru has hardly any funds for research - The local
INC doesn't even have the funds to block the entrance or pay a guardian. And
it is most doubtful that it will consider undertaking a lengthy judicial process
to claim damages from responsible parties. Does anyone know of an organization
that has emergency funds at least to help the INC block entrance to the site?
Secondly, the head of the school of Archaeology at the National University
in Trujillo has just extended his offer of support to Victor in his campaign
to save the site. The site, so close to the city, offers an incredible opportunity
for the students to study the evolution of prehispanic civilisation, with
vestiges spanning from the lithic to Chimu periods. (Again, support does not
mean financing by strapped University authorities.) University staff is mainly
involved in the Huaca de la Luna project which receives all its funding from
private and foreign academic participation and the University maintains the
city's Archaeological Museum with collaboration from foreign governments.
Students do their internships guiding at the Huaca and in the Museum.
So in the context of tight competition for funding and recognition, that the
head of the Archaeological school has offered his support of efforts to save
Santo Domingo is a positive step - but destruction is rapid.
Scientific and Academic Institutions have the means and influence to generate
investigation of this site and possibilities of collaboration with the University
there would be so motivating for the Peruvian students and local public. Therefore,
developing a program to investigate and protect the Quebrada de Santo Domingo
needs to be urgently promoted. Recommendations appreciated….
It seems incredible to have to mention or hear so many times " lack of funds"
when it comes to saving priceless heritage.
As Ulf Bertillson, President of ICOMOS Rock Art committee has said "Such events
should be prevented and can be prevented."
I remember Bamyan.
View Quebrada
de Santo Domingo paper in TRACCE
Triple spiral
