Handwoven baskets made from local reeds and rushes by the community living near the archaeological site of Bandurria, Peru, one of SPI’s newest project sites. The sale of these baskets and other products to tourists at the site brings a sustainable income to the local community and incentives them to protect and preserve their cultural heritage.
Ancient remains of Chotuna – Chornancap, Peru, location of a new SPI project that will begin in the first quarter of 2013. Our “People Not Stones” initiative will empower a new class of entrepreneurs in the impoverished community while simultaneously preserving its precious cultural heritage (pictured above).
Season’s Greetings from all of us here at the Sustainable Preservation Initiative!
Read our holiday newsletter here!
Happy Holidays from SPI! Santa gourd ornaments designed and handmade by SPI-sponsored artisan Ivan Cruz in Pampas Gramalote, Peru. The sale of these (and all of the artisans’ handcrafted gourds) brings sustainable income to the community and helps preserve the endangered archaeological site at Pampas Gramalote.
by Solsire Cusicanqui, Shelly Miller, and Rebekah Junkermeier
The San José de Moro Archaeological Project (SJMAP), recipient of SPI’s first community development and sustainable preservation grant, has been awarded a two-year grant from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP)! According to Dr. Luis Jaime Castillo, this is the “most important research grant awarded by PUCP to research programs conducted by its faculty members.”
SJMAP has been one of the most active archaeological research programs on the north coast of Peru since excavations began in 1991. This most recent grant is one many fellowships and grants that have financed SJMAP’s research activities, including the National Geographic Society and National Science Foundation.
According to archaeologist Solsiré Cusicanqui, “With the assistance of this grant, SJMAP will be able to create 3D models of Cerro Chepen and San Ildefonso,” two hill sites that consist of Mochica domestic areas in the Jequetepeque Valley.
Congratulations to SPI’s Dr. Luis Jaime Castillo and Solsire Cusicanqui! Stay tuned for more news on SJMAP’s future archaeological discoveries here on peoplenotstones.org!
A gourd artisan at our project in Pampas Gramalote, Peru, sketches out her design with a little moral support from her son 
. The sale of these artisanal gourds to tourists provides sustainable income to the community and incentives them to preserve their cultural heritage!
