Below, an update from Solsire Cusicanqui, our director at the endangered archaeological site of San Jose de Moro, Peru.

San  Jose de Moro Archaeological Program (PASJM) and Sustainable Preservation  Initiative (SPI) have established an agreement with the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP) to work in social development projects associated with archaeological sites. The main objective is to make an umbrella development project with people living around an archaeological site in danger. This project emerges from the need to create an interdisciplinary work model appropriate to the context of the Peruvian coast.

In a context like this, where you can easily find many modern settlements on or near archaeological sites, it is imperative to formulate proposals for a mutually beneficial coexistence.

Recently, a working group, consisting of two professors from the Faculty of Arts, two professors from the Faculty of Education, a professor from the Faculty of Architecture, two archaeologists from the Archaeological Program of San Jose de Moro, and the Sustainable Preservation Initiative representative in Peru, congregated for a 5-day long visit to the archaeological site.

This visit had the following objectives:

• Visits to local institutions among the community such a group of mothers, local government representatives, members of the community.

• Meeting with the principals from the local schools (primary, primary, secondary) at the settlement of San José de Moro.

• Visual and written information survey including photographs and videos to record the interviews.

• Visit to the workshops of local producers to get to know the workshops and the environment in which they operate and the final product offered by artisans.

• Train local craftsmen in the use of economic tools and product improvement, in order to increase the quality standards and the value of what they offer.

• Create public spaces that include a relationship with the Moche culture (iconography, colors).

• Implementation of activities to increase local awareness about the potential of the site.

• The application of the above strategies and programs as a model that can be replicated in other communities.

 The working group achieved all objectives, with emphasis on working with the craftsmen, especially the students from the pottery workshop. Also, members of the team had several meetings with the authorities and the Mayor of Chepén and Pacanga.

Check out our photo gallery and slide show below!

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