The project of study of earthen structures known as geoglyphs led by the universities of Valencia (Spain) and the Federal University of Acre (Rio Branco, Brazil) has different objectives but the main one, beyond, the study of the structures is the implementation of plans that allow the necessary protection of these monuments having an impact on local communities.
The project pretends to move away from interventions that could be labeled as ‘neocolonialist’ and contribute to the development of archaeological activity in the state of Acre. For this, it has the collaboration of the Acrean delegation of the Instituto de Patrimonio Histórico Artístico (IPHAN), la fundación Elías Mansur de Cultura e Comunicação and institutions of great social relevance as the In- stituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBIO) and the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuària (EMBRAPA).
The study of the geoglyphs, paradoxically, has been possible due to the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest with absolute con- tempt of the local communities, both indigenous and rubber workers (serengueiros). The sustainable development of these com- munities implies a management of the extractive reserves, mainly of the Chico Mendes one, and to that sustainable development it intends to contribute the integral study of the earthen structures known as geogplyphs. The extraordinary dimension of the phe- nomenon, more than 500 structures in the state of Acre (more than 150000 km2 of mainly forested surface) makes its conserva- tion very complicated if local communities are not involved.
From the archaeological point of view, the necessary excavations have to weigh the sustainability of the project and plan activities of protection.The project of study of earthen structures known as geoglyphs led by the universities of Valencia (Spain) and the Federal University of Acre (Rio Branco, Brazil) has different objectives but the main one, beyond, the study of the structures is the implementation of plans that allow the necessary protection of these monuments having an impact on local communities.
The project pretends to move away from interventions that could be labeled as ‘neocolonialist’ and contribute to the development of archaeological activity in the state of Acre. For this, it has the collaboration of the Acrean delegation of the Instituto de Patrimonio Histórico Artístico (IPHAN), la fundación Elías Mansur de Cultura e Comunicação and institutions of great social relevance as the In- stituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBIO) and the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuària (EMBRAPA).
The study of the geoglyphs, paradoxically, has been possible due to the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest with absolute con- tempt of the local communities, both indigenous and rubber workers (serengueiros). The sustainable development of these com- munities implies a management of the extractive reserves, mainly of the Chico Mendes one, and to that sustainable development it intends to contribute the integral study of the earthen structures known as geogplyphs. The extraordinary dimension of the phe- nomenon, more than 500 structures in the state of Acre (more than 150000 km2 of mainly forested surface) makes its conserva- tion very complicated if local communities are not involved.
From the archaeological point of view, the necessary excavations have to weigh the sustainability of the project and plan activities of protection
