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Global Heritage Fund Invests in Archaeological Conservation and Sustainable Community Development in Ciudad Perdida
February 10, 2010
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Jasmin Arneja, Vice President of Development
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global Heritage Fund Invests in Archaeological Conservation and Sustainable Community Development in Ciudad Perdida
GHF Leads Joint Effort to Save One of Colombia’s Most Important Archaeological Sites of the Tayrona Civilization-Ciudad Perdida
Bogota, Colombia - February 10, 2010 - Global Heritage Fund (GHF), in partnership with the Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia (ICANH) and the Ministry of Culture of Colombia, is undertaking a five year Preservation by Design program of integrated planning, scientific conservation, community investment and training, and in-country private-sector partnerships to preserve Ciudad Perdida (‘Lost City’) and surrounding archaeological sites. Ciudad Perdida represents a monumental example of the ancient Tayrona civilization that flourished in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, one of the country’s four national archaeological parks. Ciudad Perdida is currently on the Tentative List for nomination to UNESCO World Heritage.
Facing acute threats from growing tourism into the Burritaca Valley, lack of site management capacity, ongoing maintenance, and unchecked erosion and deterioration, Ciudad Perdida requires immediate scientific intervention for archaeological conservation. Integration and support for indigenous and peasant communities to be an integral part of the tourism development program for Ciudad Perdida is a core program goal. Extensive mapping, as well as the design and approval of a master conservation and management plan for Ciudad Perdida that will guide future site conservation, community-based development and tourism management, will be completed during the first phase of the project.
Since 2008, ICANH and Global Heritage Fund have worked on a pilot project that has relocated visitor facilities to outside of the fragile archaeological site, published a new guidebook, and established an archaeological maintenance program for the site.
“Ciudad Perdida is in the heart of every Colombian. Over the past twenty years, Dr. Santiago Giraldo, GHF’s Project Director, and other leading archaeologists, have illuminated the incredible history and importance of the Tayrona civilization and the monumental cities they built high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta,” said Jeff Morgan, Executive Director of GHF. “In partnership with the National Institute of Colombian Archaeology and History (ICANH), local community stakeholders, and the Ministry of Culture, we hope to establish a world-class program for archaeological conservation and sustainable development for the key sites of the Tayrona civilization.”
GHF and its partners will invest US $580,000 over 5 years for the protection and conservation of archaeological heritage in the Sierra Nevada in partnership with local communities, the national park service, regional law enforcement, and national and international private sector sponsors. The program supports agreements by the Ministry of Culture and ICANH established since 2008 with the indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta including the Kogi, Arhuaco, Kankuamo and Wiwa people in the region.
“This agreement constitutes a very promising model for international cooperation in the conservation and protection of the vast archaeological wealth of Colombia and represents a major boost to the cultural heritage of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the entire nation,” said Diego Herrera, director of ICANH.
The co-investments of ICANH and GHF for Ciudad Perdida are expected to improve site management of preservation and tourism, bring new income and sustainable development opportunities for the local communities of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and prevent looting and further destruction of the archaeological heritage of the region.
For more information:
GHF’s Ciudad Perdida, Colombia Project click here.
About the Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia (ICANH)
The Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Historia (ICANH), since its creation from the National Archaeological Service (1938) and the National Ethnological Institute (1943), is the lead agency of the Ministry that oversees the preservation and responsible development of the anthropological and archaeological heritage of Colombia. The Ministry of Culture is responsible for the Colombian cultural sector and aims to formulate, coordinate, implement and monitor government policy on cultural, heritage and archaeological resources.
Websites: http://www.icanh.gov.co and
http://www.mincultura.gov.co
About Global Heritage Fund
Global Heritage Fund is an international conservancy preserving endangered world heritage sites in developing countries. Deploying our proven Preservation by Design methodology, GHF provides timely funding and technical expertise to 1) develop comprehensive master conservation plans, 2) enable sustained preservation through local community involvement, 3) ensure excellence in conservation, and 4) secure complementary funding and long-term partnerships. Global Heritage Fund is a registered non-profit international conservancy based in Palo Alto, California.
Web site: http://www.globalheritagefund.org.
For more news coverage of GHF’s Investment in Ciudad Perdida, Colombia read the articles below:
Ministry of Culture
