After 10 Years New Excavations In Sipán

Latino America ^ | May 2007 | Antonio Aimi

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After 10 years, the new excavations in Sipán

Antonio Aimi

This is probably one of the most important archaeological projects in the world, at least under the economical aspect: it’s a project of about 1.350.000 Euros. As for the rest, if we want to talk cheap, roughly but objectively, we can say that the previous campaigns of archaeological excavations resulted in more than 8 kilos of gold and silver, paling the mythical Tomb 7 of Monte Albán and the treasures of any El Dorado in Colombia. We are talking about the new excavation campaign originating in these days from Sipán, a site of the Moche culture (100 a.C.-850 d.C.), near Chiclayo, North Peru. The project has the unfortunate name of PRODESIPÁN, but Italy is the main protagonist, and this is absolutely surprising, considering the meager resources that our Country delivers to archaeological missions in America.

The miracle is due to the representatives of Italy in Peru and to the leaders of FIP (Italy-Peruvian Fund) for the reconversion of debt. These people, ambassadors Sergio Busetto and Fabio Claudio De Nardis, and leaders of FIP Giovanni Tripodi and Maria Pia Dradi, did a very simple thing: they realized that the fight against poverty, the institutional challenge of FIP, goes through investments on Peru’s archaeological heritage, allowing the development of the tourist resources thanks to the extraordinary richness of this Latin-American Country.

All this would not have been possible, however, without the steady relationship between Walter Alva, the discoverer of Sipán; Quirino Olivera, acting as Alva’s Foreign Minister, and the University of Milan, with professor Emilia Perassi and myself. The project originated from this alliance, and Caritas of Peru, the unidad ejecutora, presented it to FIP. Now, with the beginning of the archaeological researches, it’s going full throttle.

Obviously not all the resources of the project are destined to archaeology. In a situation of serious poverty, as the one characterizing the Sipán area (according to the official index, the area has a undernourishment rate of 20%), archaeology can't ignore the needs of a population that, also because of their sack to Tomb Zero, had the responsibility, for good or bad, to bring Sipán to the attention of archaeologists. For this reason the project schedules the development of sewing and drinking water systems for the inhabitants of Sipán, together with training courses that will allow them to become tourist guides, craftsmen, restaurateurs, and so on. We would like to stress that this part of the project, begun before the archaeological excavations also for bureaucratic and meteorological reasons (Alva didn’t consider appropriate to begin with the excavations during the rainy season), it’s already an advanced phase of realization (the sewing system and the municipal home have already been built), showing that the Italian cooperation can be really efficient.

Curiously, due to those coincidences rarely seen in history, other funds rained on Sipán, thanks to a Peruvian law that provides additional resources for archaeological projects of the four museums of the Labayeque Department, and thanks to the commitment of Italy ambassador and of FIP responsibles that, acknowledging the importance of the project, committed to fund raising for the construction of the museo de sitio.

But what could be the results of this research campaign, that after years of shortage gives to the archaeologists adequate means for the purpose? Thinking of Sipán, the first thing could be new treasures. But it could be deceptive to reduce archaeology to a mere treasure hunt. What is certain is that, in a few years, today’s Sipán, a bunch of clay hills excavated by Niño’s rainstorms, will change deeply, and, offering part of its original aspect, will be able to compete with the most desired tourist destinations of Peru.

Mayo de 2007 / May 2007

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