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NEWS INDEX
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In the mean time, CIARU keeps three field projects, besides the
research on problems originated on theory, methodology and complex semantic
ones about the operations, interpretation and management of the data basis. Field work is carried out in Uruguay, having one project in Argentina. In Uruguay, projects are located in Artigas and Paysandú provinces,
while the other one in Argentina, is dedicated to the rock art of San Juan
province, on the east foothill of the Andes cordillera. PAYSANDU CIARU together with CEUPA (Paysandú University Study Center) have
succeeded on carrying out one of the first archeological projects in Uruguay,
that did not count on any official sponsorship. It was financed with the
support of private enterprises of the province of It was documented the existence of engravings performed on
three-dimensional surfaces (unique cases recorded in the country, up to now).
Excavations were carried out in one of the sites in order to know the context
under which these interesting engravings were performed. The area is believed to have been an important site to obtain
materials for the manufacturing of lithic tools, having an extension of about
4 kms. on the banks of a Queguay river tributary. The excavations produced projectile points together with an important
amount of utensils that are being studied in the laboratory. Parallel studies were made to determine the possible correlation
between those engravings and archeoastronomic phenomena. ARTIGAS The "Yacare-Cururú Project" carries out several campaigns on
the field. It is being performed together with the Provincial Museum of
Artigas (IMA) and it initially counted on contributions from the Ministry of
Education and Culture. Around 100 square meters of an important mound was excavated. From
there, it was retrieved approximately 26.000 lithic pieces, pottery and bone
material. There was obtained several radiocarbon datings that were submitted
to cross control among laboratories of Uruguay, France and the United States. Among the most outstanding aspects of this project we can highlight
the finding of the oldest piece of decorated pottery known in the area of the
Plata River, which was manufactured about 1650 years BC.
A laboratory was created (the only one presently working outside the
capital city of Uruguay) to analyze the material, which quantity is the most
important retrieved up to date in only one site. The Artigas Museum will exhibit all recovered material beginning on
the second half of 1998. It is foreseeable to reinitiate fieldwork during the first quarter of
next year, having at present the support of the Town Council of Artigas and
of CIARU. SAN JUAN
The Rock Art Project of San Juan is carried on together with the
Archeological Institute and Museum of the National University of San Juan
(Argentina). The project aims to documentate sites possessing rock art in this
province. Up to date, CIARU teams, after six years of fieldwork, have
recorded more than 700 sites with 25.000 engraved designs and just a few
paintings.
Sites are located between 700 and 3400 meters high, ranging from
environments with desert like areas having temperatures over 50º C up to
Andean peaks with almost permanent snow. The enormous amount of information retrieved is forcing researchers to
a very careful management of the recorded data base, which besides designs it
includes the relationships among them, with very different sites and with the
environment where they are located. |
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Since some months ago, the archaeological research in Uruguay is now
sustained exclusively under political criteria from the General Director of
the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture, by means of a
directly subordinated agency named as "Program for the Development of
National Archaeology". CIARU, as the first Non Governmental Organization devoted to
professional archaeology, does not accept that archaeological research has to
be limited to the general Director's resolution, thus playing a role as the
only judge and at the same time the only role on National Heritage research. Such
a situation eliminates the quality basis of research that intends to reach
excellence through loyal competition. It also eliminates the academic
principles of professional practice. If such actions from the General Direction goes on, one of the few
remaining incentives to scientific research, the acknowledgement of ideas and
procedures involved, will be lost. For CIARU is obvious that excellence in
research, is not guaranteed by governmental employment by itself. We emphatically claim for depoliticization of archaeological research
in Uruguay. We claim for the right to work as licensed professionals, and for
the stimulation of real knowledge assesment from the Government. After 25 years of work and publications, CIARU's technicians will not
begin new research in Uruguay, as long as this situation, which is far away
from democratic principles or scientific policies, keeps on. |
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Comité de Investigación
del Arte Rupestre de la Sociedad Argentina de Antropología (CIAR-SAA) Avda. SANTA FE 983 4to. A 1059 BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA
Sociedad De Investigación
De Arte Rupestre De Bolivia (SIARB) P.O. BOX 3091, LA PAZ - BOLIVIA Tel-Fax 591-2-711809 e-mail: siarb@acelerate.com News Web page: http://www.bradshawfoundation.com - section on Bolivian rock
art The Bolivian Rock Art Society was founded in 1987. It publishes an
annual journal (Boletín) and the series "Contribuciones al Estudio del
Arte Rupestre de Bolivia" in Spanish with English summaries. It has
already organized 5 international conferences. In May 2002, SIARB was awarded
the Conservation and Preservation Award by the American Rock Art Research
Association (ARARA). For more information write to our address.
Grupo de Investigación
del Arte Rupestre Indígena (GIPRI) Address: CARRERA 54a No 174-12 Phone: 6722390 o 4411096 e-mail: gipri@col1.telecom.com.co BOGOTA - COLOMBIA News: CURRENT GIPRI PROJECTS 1. GIPRI is planning field trips on the Winter Solstice to Cumaca and
the Media Luna petroglyph site and to Nabusimake, an Arhuaco Indian village
in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, to study rock art and observe the
reactions of the Indians to a solar eclipse. 2. Harry Marriner is preparing a paper on Rock Art and Arqueoastronomy
in Colombia. 3. Guillermo Munoz is completing a rock art (petroglyphs) recording
project for the town of Mesitas del Colegio, Cundinamarca. Many new sties
were discovered during the six month study. Sites uncovered at El Colegio
include 250 rocks with petroglyphs,metates, whetstones and cupolas. 4. Fernando Urbina is continuing his research on Amazon rock art. 5.The second issue of "Rupestre", the rock art bulletin of
Colombia, may be published in February 1998. |
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