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SANTA RITA B
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT "If you are thinking a year ahead, sow
seed. Click HERE to see photos from the project. This unique partnership of archaeology and applied anthropology is using technology developed by ancient peoples occupying the Santa Rita B archaeological site for application toward better living for the people today in the contemporary village of Santa Rita, Peru. The Santa Rita B Archaeological Project involves the investigation of an urban complex showing continuous occupation for 3,000 years (from approximately 1000 BC through the 16th century AD). Now in its third year, the project has begun to discern a pattern of resource management that demonstrates considerable stability over this period of time. It is our belief that the 3,000 years of experience that the pre-Hispanic occupants of this area were able to draw upon contains important lessons that would of great value to contemporary small landowners who now occupy this zone. The contemporary community of Santa Rita is adjacent to the archaeological complex and unfortunately is experiencing critical levels of poverty and resource depletion. Our goal is to establish a working relationship with the members of this community; to identify the reasons for the current negative situation; to use a combination of modern applied anthropological methods and archaeological insights. We endeavor to develop a plan, in cooperation with the community, for long term, eco-sustainable development and economic growth. Archaeologist, Dr. Jonathan Kent, (director of the archaeological survey, documentation, and preservation of the site), and Dr. Arthur Campa, (director of the eco-sustainable project assisting the villagers of Santa Rita), are combining efforts to preserve the site and help the living people. Through field schools educating future archaeologists, and employing a team of volunteer professionals, they hope to create a model for other projects in Peru to empower contemporary communities to better their living conditions employing revived and proven ancient systems of agriculture and resource management. For more information about this project, please contact: Dr. Arthur Campa Your tax deductible donation will be accepted by the California Institute of Peruvian Studies (CIPS), a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that sponsors archaeological and anthropological field work in Peru. ******************************* CIPS Please accept my donation for: ******************************** What is Eco-Sustainable Development? Cultural, ecological and sustainable development and management is a cooperative effort of community participation and anthropological methods to assist a community to become self-sufficient, economically empowered, within the boundaries of what is locally available and environmentally sound. This system creates social and economic development in such a way that its impact does not deprive future generations of local resources. Eco-Sustainability in Santa Rita, Peru During the first field season in Santa Rita, in July and August of the year 2000, the applied anthropology team conducted a rapid needs assessment. However, before even approaching Santa Rita, there was a need to develop a working relationship with their cohorts from the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, (UNT) Peru. These individuals included Licensiado (Lic.) Eduardo Achutegui Giraldo (Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Cultural Anthropologist), Lic. Teresa Rosales Tham (Archaeologist), Lic. Victor Vasquez Sanchez (Biologist). From the onset, the UNT team was eager to assist in any way possible, since they had authored the original request for this eco-sustainable community development study. This was in response to requests from the community of Santa Rita, District of Chao/Viru, Province of La Libertad in northern coastal Peru. In addition to the relationships with the UNT team, a relationship of trust and mutual interest in working together had to be developed with the community of Santa Rita. Julio Hilario Mendoza Huaman, the elected Lieutenant Governor of the village understood the press for time, eased the team into the community, and quickly made them feel welcome. Initially, the team was confronted with the fact that the village of Santa Rita, (population 260), had experienced a devastating tragedy in 1998. The entire village and their agricultural fields were virtually wiped out by mudslides caused by torrential El Nino rains. It became clear that the community needed more than help with farming techniques. The rapid needs assessment consisted of in-depth interviews with various community members, focus group meetings of special interest groups (Mother's Club, the Irrigation Commission, service providers, etc.), participant observation and collection of demographic information. In addition, maps were drafted of the village, copies drawn of the agricultural area, and ownership or working of agricultural fields adjacent to the village. Contacts were made with various political entities. Meetings with the school teachers, clinic nurses and other community groups (potable water board, transportation provider, etc.) were held, as well as friendly visits with the community as a whole, and with individuals. Pat Cockerill and Dr. Arthur Campa were honored to become godparents of infant Yolanda, and the team performed an ear-piercing ceremony for Julio's daughters, Naomi and Doris. Ellen Campa did a weaving demonstration, and consequently discovered an untapped resource in the community: a couple of elder women who, originally from the highlands, knew how to weave. From this rapid needs assessment, it was concluded that the needs of the community consisted of: 1. Electricity Programs and projects that the community can develop
for themselves with some guidance to satisfy some of those needs: Field Season 2001 The team for the 2001 season will consist of Dr. Arthur Campa, Applied Anthropologist; Ellen Campa, Weaver/Anthropologist; Pat Cockerill, Geographer; Judy Brock, Fiber Artist/Llama and Alpaca Breeder/Veterinary Technician; Sara Hoerlein, Applied Anthropology Graduate Student; and Shina duVall, Archaeology Graduate Student. Team members are volunteers, paying their own expenses, and contributing their expertise. The 2001 field season will be from June 28 through July 25. Goals for the season will be to introduce the community of Santa Rita to the proposed programs. Team members have been assigned to particular programs and will be conducting meetings with community members to organize groups to handle particulars within each project. The goal is to pave the way for actual introduction of llamas and alpacas by 2002, and to have the weaving cooperative producing goods by that year. Team members have been assigned to particular programs and will be conducting meetings with community members to organize groups to handle particulars within each project. Funding is being solicited for: The goal is to see Santa Rita a self-sustaining community within the next five years - the dream is to see Santa Rita become a model for other communities in Peru to become whole through helping each other. What is Cultural Anthropology? The study of learned human behavior, including the cultural, social, linguistic, technical and the familial. What is Applied Anthropology? The application of anthropological knowledge to meet the needs of the group for whom the anthropologist is working. Anthropological methods include a holistic approach to problem solving, including consideration of individual and community needs, resources available, cultural sensitivity, and input of the community involved. |