Themes

Strategies and Objectives for Archaeological Heritage Management.

UNESCO has inscribed over 1,200 properties on the World Heritage List, encompassing a wide range of complex challenges in terms of sustainable development, new climate conditions, and tourism. Many WH properties are archaeological sites, yet numerous important archaeological sites are (still) not on the WH List. By applying robust archaeological heritage management principles to these sites before World Heritage nomination, States Parties will be better positioned for potential inscription, if that is the goal. This session will analyze the principles, strategies, and objectives for managing significant archaeological sites that are on the World Heritage List as well as those that are not. Participants will explore effective archaeological site management and, in the process, gain insights into the challenges faced at national and local levels.

Archaeology, Astronomy, and Geoglyphs in Northern Chile and Surrounding Areas.

Pioneering studies reveal intriguing connections between geoglyph images, particularly in the Andean area, and astronomical orientations that could provide
new insights into the complexity of ancient cultural developments in the southern Andes. While the nature of these geoglyphs largely corresponds to caravan activities— given the wide-open desert landscape—the routes of these caravans may have been guided by astronomical positions, where geoglyphs could have played a crucial role. An important perspective to develop is the establishment of a true Geoglyph Archaeological Park, as proposed by ICAHM-ICOMOS, emphasizing the role of communities and local traditions of the Andean peoples in Northern Chile, which
are part of what we know as the Andean World. Hence, the Symposium will include participation from leaders of the Aymara and Quechua communities in the region.

Climate Change, Integrity, and Management of Archaeological Sites.

Climate change has become the greatest threat to archaeological heritage worldwide. Short-term hazards, such as flooding and coastal erosion, are affecting existing archaeological features, while long-term climate changes threaten underground deposits and museum artifact collections. The indirect impacts of social changes also pose a risk to the foundational conservation experience. This session will be open to presentations related to the conservation and protection of archaeological sites due to (both directly and indirectly) climate change, as well as presentations addressing broader issues of sustainability and risk and vulnerability reduction. Particularly welcome are papers that consider climate actions and archaeological conservation in hyper-arid environments like northern Chile.

Public Archaeology and

Indigenous Peoples.

Public archaeology is the discipline that disseminates archaeological knowledge and its associated practices to the general public and collaborates with Indigenous communities in the design and execution of archaeological projects related to their ancestors and living descendants. We seek papers that develop an archaeological praxis for recognizing and incorporating the cultural values and rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is a contemporary topic that fosters community archaeology and engagement with local communities and descendant groups. We look forward to presentations representing a wide variety of experiences from Indigenous Peoples around the world. We will encourage the participation of professionals connected to Indigenous heritage to maintain a dialogue on the recognition and promotion of Indigenous rights in World Heritage nominations, considering the objectives of these populations in terms of inclusion on this list while respecting their own definitions of heritage, safeguarding, and protection.

Archaeological Heritage and
Sustainable Tourism.

Archaeological sites play an important role in the cultural heritage list. They are inherently complex due to their locations and fragile, non-renewable nature, which demands specialized management, research, and conservation activities. In relation
to tourism, it is essential to consider the financial resources that certain sites can generate while being mindful of the potential deterioration caused by excessive public attendance, which can jeopardize their integrity and authenticity. This roundtable will facilitate an open exchange of ideas and best practices in cultural heritage governance and preservation, the development of new attractions, and guide programs on best practices that foster an understanding of sustainability issues.

Processes of Plundering and Restitution of Archaeological and Anthropological Collections

The Andean and Pacific coast of South America has a long sequence of prehistoric settlements well-known for their excellent preservation. However, since the beginning of the Spanish conquest and the subsequent colonial period, the preservation of cultural heritage has been threatened by looting. Europe and the United States hold the primary archaeological collections originating from this region. The analysis of global restitution policies for these collections to contemporary Indigenous peoples living in heritage landscapes will be examined in terms of recent international policies. Many contemporary cases of heritage destruction have been addressed through remote sensing, internet investigations, and international trafficking interdictions. This session will be open to the full range of seizures, their consequences, and mitigation and restitution measures.

Archaeology and the Role of New Technologies in Presentation and Interpretation of Sites

This topic relates to new technologies, such as multimedia applications and 3-D virtual reconstructions, used in the interpretation of archaeological sites for scientific, tourism, and educational purposes, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of these applications. This theme aligns with the Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (UNESCO 2008).