Global Heritage Fund

2011 PROJECT PROGRESS:

Click the above photo to view Planning slideshow.

Planning

A summary of the forthcoming Management Plan was planned for publication in early 2012, but, following the changing of the Minister of Culture it has been inevitably delayed.
Planning for the Stone Conservation Program was established with anticipation to take effect in 2012.
Extensive mapping of Building C’s north façade was undertaken with total station technology, but probably the greatest advance in the field was the systematic application of photogrammetric techniques in general documentation and in specific conservation efforts.

Click the above photo to view Conservation Science slideshow.

Conservation Science: Rocas Canal System

Considerable progress was made on Rocas Canal system. In the lower stretches of the system, the body of the canal was effectively connected with the Mosna River, tracing, clearing, and conserving a major stretch of the canal totaling about 50 meters.
A major canal collapse in the middle section of the system was identified and cleared.
A new formal entranceway to the canal, a staircase of 13 elegantly made steps, was located, cleared and conserved, and may be opened in 2012 as a possible tourist special visitation experience for unique access to the canal system.
As a result of the above efforts, the majority of the Chavin de Huantar archaeological site can now be effectively drained by the Rocas Canal System.

Click the above photo to view Conservation Science slideshow.

Conservation Science: Building C Monument

Building C work in 2011 consisted of three primary foci: exploration of the north esplanade area to the north of Building C; work on the north façade of the building, and work in the Loco Gallery.
Since the North Esplanade is the first sector encountered by tourists, it was proposed that it be presented in such a way as to give visitors a glimpse at the many different time periods that Chavin was occupied.

Click the above photo to view Community Development slideshow.

Community Development

From January through March of 2011 a compact but intensive program of training in working shell and bone replicas was carried out. The program was successful, producing the first replica Strombus trumpets, done as reproductions of those we found in 2001, as well as artistic interpretations of Chavín designs. These replicas have since become highly in-demand with collectors worldwide and can provide significant income to local artisans.
Chavin replica ceramic production in 2011 continued to be lower than demand, a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of the works.

In 2009-2010, significant progress was made at Chavín de Huántar, including:

Left: Excavation and cleaning of the Upper Rocas Canal in progress. Right: The Upper Rocas Canal after full excavation and conservation.

Planning

The Master Plan for Chavín de Huántar has been completed and submitted to the Peruvian National Institute of Culture for review and approval
Subsurface investigations using ground penetrating radar have been conducted to aid in site mapping and to inform excavations

Chavin

A trench excavated to accommodate a pipe to drain the geomembrane laid as part of the conservation effort to stabilize and preserve Building C.

Conservation

Major investigation was conducted on Building C to understand its evolution and current state in order to proceed with the most appropriate conservation methods to stabilize the structure
Work continued to clear the Rocas Canal, a major subsurface feature of the site that was part of the original water management system of the site and can help to alleviate damaging moisture retention in the site’s archaeological features
The main Circular Plaza has been completed, and the road through the site has been removed

Ceramic Replication Project Workshop with Chavín towns people producing the first round of replicas based on authentic techniques and materials.

Community

Archaeological investigations have been conducted to determine where the new Visitor Center should be built to create the least impact on the site
The Ceramic Replication Project established in the town and involving community members is now producing fine wares following ancient practices
60 stone and pottery artisans have been trained
Over 1200 Chavín artifacts have been conserved, leading to the new $5 million museum in the town

Partnerships

The conservation project at the archaeological complex of Chavín de Huántar will have a major boost thanks to a new grant of $300,000 from Antamina. The $300,000 grant from Antamina was provided as a direct in-country match to Global Heritage Fund’s $300,000 commitment to the Chavín Project over the next three years after discussions and consultations between the two organizations over the last six months. These funds provide the majority of the $750,000 total budget required by the Chavín Project over the next 3-4 years.
The project has also received $70,000 from the US Ambassadors Fund