by Marta Laureanti
In an article appeared on IJHS (Holtorf & Ortman, 2008) the authors quoted the destiny of the Hoghem rock carving moved at Vitlycke Museum “and thus saved (my italics) from imminent destruction when a new road bypass was constructed” near the site in 1991 (Holtorf & Ortman, 2008:79).This article prompts to reflect upon the significance of setting and conservation of sites and monuments.
I wish just quickly mention other examples of conservation like The Bronze age site of Burnt Mound of Cruester, on the northwest coast of the island of Bressay, that was dismantled in 2008 and moved to another location, or the Temple of Abu Simbel in Egypt, that during the construction of Aswan High Dam was moved to higher ground in 1964-6 (UNESCO 2011).
These examples involves heritage professional, archaeologists and institutions to ask themselves what are their responsibilities towards the preservation of sites and monuments, and in which way
we have to lead research projects.
Two examples of archaeological strategies of research and dialogues engaged with local communities and their needs are the Cahawba archaeological project (Derry, 2002) and The Pilar Program (Ford 2000-2005).
Cahawba was the first capital of Alabama state in 1819. The site is nearly surrounded by the last bend in the Cahawba river. After a flood in 1865 the town was abandoned. The site that encompasses nearly 1,000 acres, not all acquisited by the State, was interested by studies of pre-emancipation archeology from the American archaeologists Linda Derry in 1997 (Derry, 2002:19-29). The Cahawba`s population during the historic period was at least 65 per cent African American. Derry began a new type of approach to the site starting from the local community. She involved teachers and students of a middle school in the near city of Selma, to record and transcribe horal histories about a segregated school built by black farmers on the top of the archaeological site that had closed in 1953. A lot of people discussed their memories with these children. After this project Derry registered a rise of interest among the local community about the archaeological research project in which she worked, and she said ”descendants began to share these older stories and even began to provide old portraits” (2002:21). Beside the archaeological research provided some accounts of the various historic floods occurred in the old town and registered in some historic documents, that could be used by Cahawba river Management Plan Steering Committee during the environmental research on the pollution of the Cahawba river. Besides the site of Cahawba as interested in holding meetings during the “year of the Indian” in 1998, in which it was providing a new interpretation of Alabama`s first capital, involved the story of slaves and representing black people.
The other archaeological project based upon cooperation and dialogue with local communities is the BRASS/El Pilar Program, leads by archaeologist Annabel Ford (Ford 2005-2000). El Pilar is a Maya site situated on the border between Guatemala and Belize.
The research investigates the patterns of land use during the Maya period. The project has incorporated archaeological survey and mapping, excavations and analyses and studies on the local communities.
From the discover of the forest gardening used by Maya, was developed a network of forest gardening between Belize and Guatemala to promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Forest. The project involves the conservation of cultural heritage and encourages practical conservation measures based on forest gardening.
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| The website of El Pilar project |
"Relocating heritage in archaeology"
Cahawba and El Pilar show some ways in which archaeologists can relocate the object of their researches in the present day contest.
Relocating the heritage in an archaeological perspective it means also thinking about presentation and educational aspects inside archaeological sites and museums.
As Parker Pearson said “instead of welcoming visitors we should encouraging participants”(2001:225) as it happens at the House of Culture at the National Museum of Tanzania that gives spaces to art galleries, perfomances, children library and many other events.
Suggested readings:
Holtorf & Ortman, (2008) Endangerment and Conservation ethos in Natural and Cultural Heritage: The Case of Zoos and Archaeological Sites in International Journal of Heritage Studies [online]Vol. 14, No. 1, January 2008, pp. 74–90
Mapunda & Lane, (2004) Archaeology for whose interests-archaeologist or the locals? in Merriman,2004,211-223, London and New York:Routledge.
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