Crisis At Saqsaywaman Escalates

Thanks for visiting my blog and keeping up with the progress on this ethnographic research project on the archaeological site in Peru called Saqsaywaman.  A lot has happened since my last blog.  I'm getting closer to going to Peru to continue my research to see if ethnographic film can play a role mediating a conflict on an archaeological site.   Here's what's NEW:

---

Formal Request Received From The
Ministry of Culture in Peru

My contact at the Ministry is Jose Antonio Reynoso, the second from the left in this photo.   We have been Facebook messaging (yes...social media has been our primary way to communicate up to now.)  I asked him to send me a formal email outlining the status of the conflict at the Saqsaywaman site.  I received his email (in Spanish) and used Google Translate to view his reply.  You can view his entire letter to me at the bottom of this blog.

Current State of The Crisis on Site:  When we first started our research and filming on the archaeological site back in 2010, the primary conflict was with three communities wanting to modernize, build houses, install infrastructure, roads, and enter the 21st Century on an active archaeological site.  The update from the Jose Antonio at the Ministry makes it clear that the conflict has now expanded to the surrounding Cusco area, with the city expansion now encroaching on the archaeological park.  This UNESCO World Heritage site is under threat now from many sides and groups.  Our work to mediate the situation on the site is needed more now than every!

---

Maren's Status As A Research Associate At USC Renewed

Last week, my status as a Research Associate at the Center for Visual Anthropology at the University of Southern California (USC) was renewed by the Chair of the Department, Dr. Gary Seaman.  This was a critical step as I can't work down at Saqsaywaman without a formal affiliation with a major U.S. university. 

---

Maren Granted Access To The
Getty Research Institute Library

Those of you who have been down to Los Angeles to the Getty Museum complex know how amazing this institution is.  The "Getty," as it is known, not only has world class museums, but the complex also houses the Getty Conservation Institute...and it's associated Research Library.  (The library is located on the left in the photo above.) 

I have been granted the use of the research library so I can continue to flesh out the research proposal, which I'm hoping will become part of my Ph.D thesis.  Without going into too much detail (for another blog), I hope to partner with the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) to bring stakeholders at Saqsaywaman to the GCI to benefit from their expertise in archaeological site management.  My ultimate goal would be to design and host an academic conference bringing these two diverse groups of people to together to come up with solutions for the Saqsaywaman site. 

---

Donations Are Still Needed   $1500 of $10,000 Raised

Many of you have contributed to my Peru Fundraising efforts and I so VERY much appreciate that.  I have raised about $1,500 so far.  I really need to raise almost $10,000 to get down to Peru with a small team of people.  I am seeking grants and corporate funding as well.  So, if you are inclined to donate, I'd appreciate it.  And please feel free to share this blog and my website with anyone you think might be interested.  Links are below...and you can share this blog as well. 

Thanks so much for your time reading this blog...and for whatever help you can give me to continue my work in Peru. 

Sincerely,
Maren Elwood
Visual Anthropologist
"Stone & People" Project
831 238 5503

GO FUND ME DONATION Here

You can send a check to:
Maren Elwood
11006 Aletta Avenue
Culver City, CA  90232

VENMO DONATION
Here

Stone & People Website

Letter to Maren Elwood From Jose Antonio Reynoso
Secretary at the Ministry of Culture/Saqsaywaman
(Translated from Spanish by Google Translate)

Maren,
Hello (and) how are you?  First of all, excuse delay in answer, as you know the main problems in the Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman (PAS) communities and groups that inhabit it as the need for housing for themselves and their children is what makes the PAS is growing in housing.

Also the problem of PAS to be near Cusco which makes it vulnerable to urban growth of the city that no longer have to grow up and see the PAS as a place of urban expansion, and we are trying to stop this so that PAS all its green area and heritage within it there is enough (more than 66 archaeological sites registered) is maintained, we are working with the regional government of Cusco for the PAS is referred to as "lungs of Cusco". We are also trying to see how to acquire land from private owners, as you know the state owns only 5% of the 2,997 hectares that have the PAS.

Cusco is growing not only in terms of population but also is increasing tourism and thus various needs including more tourist offers, need for more accommodation generated more sites recreation (horseback riding, motorcycling, mountain biking, climbing rock and others that are being generated within the PAS.)

If you want more information and want to know what topics to be more explicit let me know because I would like to continue working on the project which had begun in 2010.
 
Regards,
Jose Antonio Reynoso