Sustainable Preservation
Initiative
Sustainable
Preservation Initiative (SPI) provides grants to fund quickly developing
projects for locally-owned existing or start-up companies concerning tourism,
restaurants, hostels, transport, and artisans. By investing in local businesses
that benefit archeology and tourism, they hope that the community will be
strengthened socially and economically in the long term; and thus that
archaeological remains are to be protected at the same time. SPI's model
reduces poverty by helping local entrepreneurs and by creating jobs that depend
on the preservation of cultural heritage. In order to maximize the development,
they work together with leaders at both regional and state levels, local
business owners and residents, as well as archaeologists who have spent years
in the affected communities.
San José de Moro
The
village of San José de Moro has grown on both sides of the Pan-American Highway
about 700 kilometers north of Peru's capital Lima. Until the 1940s, there were
no permanent inhabitants in San José de Moro. It was not until the 50s that
previous seasonal residents of the area began to settle down on the location
permanently. In the late 60s, an agricultural reform caused people to stream to
this archaeologically important place. People began to build more and more, and
at the same time extensive looting of the archaeological sites began. Since San
José de Moro arose as a farming community, it was primarily during periods of
drought that the looting increased. Today, San José de Moro has about 5,000
residents and the economy is still largely based on agriculture. The average
daily income of residents is $9.50 and there are often large families dependent
on such income.
San
José de Moro Archaeological Program (SJMAP) was the first project to be
supported by the Sustainable Preservation Initiative. Luis Jaime Castillo
Butters leads the project, a teacher at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del
Peru (PUCP) in Lima and today also Peru’s Vice Minister of Culture. SJMAP has
involved locals in the archaeological work regarding both excavation and care
of the site since the project began in 1991. The excavations have revealed
large and complex burial grounds and ceremonial centers that had been used by
many ancient civilizations such as the Moche, Lambayeque, and Chimú for several
centuries. Hundreds of graves have been excavated and examined at the site.
Looting and illicit trafficking of the artifacts has long been an appreciated
addition to the low income in the modern community, but an obvious hindrance to
cultural preservation and the archaeological process. Employing local residents
within the archeological process can diminish this problem to a degree, but
SJMAP has also tried in different ways to support the community and its
development. Through interaction between archaeologists and local community
members, a good relationship between all parties can be maintained. Besides the
excavations, SJMAP has invested in education and information about the site's
former inhabitants. The project has also focused on building facilities and toilets
at schools. Another step was the revival of the ancient inhabitant's
technologies. Old craft techniques enabled the economic development and
exposure of tourism in the community. Despite the hard work, those leading the
project have felt that their work wasn't sustainable in the long run.
In
2010, SJMAP received a scholarship of $48,000 from the SPI in order to continue
integrating archeology in society for economic and social development. By
investing in the community and entrepreneurs, they intend for the local
population to see the archaeological heritage as a source of income and
progress, not as a barrier to growth. The initial development plan included a
visitor and education center containing a craft workshop, gift shop, and
exhibition area.
Now
the project in San José de Moro is developing fast. The workshop is an
opportunity to educate additional artisans and provides tourists with
opportunities to participate in the ceramic making process. Next to the house
is a picnic and resting area with a small snack bar and restrooms. A new
entrance to the site, filled with ancient Moche motifs and colors, has been
built and painted. SPI is now trying to adapt and follow the changes in the
society. The new center and the project has attracted visitors and buses from
several domestic and international tour companies, many of which now have San
José de Moro as a regular stop. Community members and Peruvian archaeologists
have prepared both a guidebook and a brochure for the site. The brochures are
free and guidebooks are for sale on site. According to SPI, the investment has
led to substantial permanent and temporary employment; and in addition, the
looting at the site has ceased. The results have also inspired entrepreneurship
and economic development in the village, with five new stores opening last
year.
SPI
now supports several such “integrated-archaeology” projects. Many of these projects are just beginning
their development, but we intend to make contact with those already in the
initial phase to follow residents' opinions about the development over the
coming years.
Chotuna Chornancap
The
community is located next to the archaeological site Chotuna. It is a poor
village without electricity, sewerage, or clean water. This place is SPI's
second project to be initiated. On the site, there is a temple and several rich
tombs which have been found via excavation. Residents wish to do whatever they
can to save the cultural heritage of the area that they live in. Some of the
community's cultural heritage is a group of artisans who weave cotton textiles
in the same manner as they did in ancient cultures.
As
with San José de Moro, the goal here is to develop the craft and increase
tourism. Investments are made in local cotton textile artisans: to build a
facility for the artisans, training and production, and to create a small
picnic and sales area near the archaeological site. The project will also build
a shop and a showroom for these crafts in the nearby city of Lambayeque, where
information about the site will be available.
References
Sustainable
Preservation Initiative www.sustainablepreservation.org
Verbal
statement, Castillo Butters
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