Crimes against Indigenous Heritage on Marajo Island
Fazenda São
Marcos, Camutins
River.
Marajoara ceramics
are discarded as
trash, inside of an
old canoe.
Marcos, Camutins
River.
Marajoara ceramics
are discarded as
trash, inside of an
old canoe.
| Again at the Camutins River, a milenar vessel that was used for water storage is left behind, when the family moves out. |
Marajoara urns
and vessels (left)
can be found in
farm houses
covered with dust,
mixed together
with ordinary
objects.
and vessels (left)
can be found in
farm houses
covered with dust,
mixed together
with ordinary
objects.
That is a common scene in the Amazon area - Pile-dwellings are build over
higher river banks, accelerating the destruction of archaeological sites. The
picture shows the underneath of a house build over the Guajara mound,
Marajo Island. The erosion and the action of domestic animals revelead
broken vessels.
higher river banks, accelerating the destruction of archaeological sites. The
picture shows the underneath of a house build over the Guajara mound,
Marajo Island. The erosion and the action of domestic animals revelead
broken vessels.
How can we protect archaeological sites?
The Brazilian Laws are very good when it comes to protecting archaeological sites. Basically, everything that is
underground belongs to the Nation and excavation of archaeological artifacts and disturbance of archaeological sites is
considered a crime against the historical and archaeological heritage. In practice, law enforcement in the Amazon region
is virtually absent, due to the great distances, lack of good means of transportation, and a poorly-equipped and paid
police force.
IPHAN (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional) is the governmental agency responsible for issuing
permits for archaeological research and for caring for the archaeological heritage. As other governmental agencies, it
does not have enough personnel and funds to deal with all the issues involved in protecting the archaeological heritage.
The archaeological sites can be protected if the local population is aware of the importance of preserving the memory of
their ancestors. Education is then the basis of any successful preservation policy. Although archaeological projects have
tried to bring information to the local population while developing the research, they have not been successful. Locals
will still loot and sell archaeological pottery if they do not have other forms of income. The solution to the problem
would be to integrate archaeological heritage with larger projects for sustainable development. Archaeology can attract
tourists and make local populations proud of their heritage. This would ultimately bring jobs and dignity to Amazonian
peoples.
The Brazilian Laws are very good when it comes to protecting archaeological sites. Basically, everything that is
underground belongs to the Nation and excavation of archaeological artifacts and disturbance of archaeological sites is
considered a crime against the historical and archaeological heritage. In practice, law enforcement in the Amazon region
is virtually absent, due to the great distances, lack of good means of transportation, and a poorly-equipped and paid
police force.
IPHAN (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional) is the governmental agency responsible for issuing
permits for archaeological research and for caring for the archaeological heritage. As other governmental agencies, it
does not have enough personnel and funds to deal with all the issues involved in protecting the archaeological heritage.
The archaeological sites can be protected if the local population is aware of the importance of preserving the memory of
their ancestors. Education is then the basis of any successful preservation policy. Although archaeological projects have
tried to bring information to the local population while developing the research, they have not been successful. Locals
will still loot and sell archaeological pottery if they do not have other forms of income. The solution to the problem
would be to integrate archaeological heritage with larger projects for sustainable development. Archaeology can attract
tourists and make local populations proud of their heritage. This would ultimately bring jobs and dignity to Amazonian
peoples.
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