Facing different views. The effect of legislation on the engagement with indigenous peoples during archaeological heritage management projects in the Andean region of Bolivia from the early 1990s onwards.

Legislation, both internationally and nationally, on archaeological heritage management is often based on a dominant heritage discourse which focuses on material conservation. However, there are multiple heritage discourses and among them those of indigenous peoples. These are based on different perspectives on issues like history, time and landscape and those differences can have major ramifications for views on appropriate management of archaeological sites. As indigenous peoples’ rights are more often being recognised, also within the archaeological discipline, local indigenous communities become involved in heritage management projects. This involvement entails different degrees, from mere presentation to true collaboration and engagement with the indigenous culture. In Bolivia, there have been significant political developments in the last two decades related to indigenous peoples. The question is whether increased rights for indigenous peoples result in challenging the...Show moreLegislation, both internationally and nationally, on archaeological heritage management is often based on a dominant heritage discourse which focuses on material conservation. However, there are multiple heritage discourses and among them those of indigenous peoples. These are based on different perspectives on issues like history, time and landscape and those differences can have major ramifications for views on appropriate management of archaeological sites. As indigenous peoples’ rights are more often being recognised, also within the archaeological discipline, local indigenous communities become involved in heritage management projects. This involvement entails different degrees, from mere presentation to true collaboration and engagement with the indigenous culture. In Bolivia, there have been significant political developments in the last two decades related to indigenous peoples. The question is whether increased rights for indigenous peoples result in challenging the dominant heritage discourse during archaeological heritage management projects. By examining three case studies, it is shown that the level of involvement is not primarily defined by legislation. Bolivian legislation contradicts itself on several points and the enforcement of the law is questioned. Additionally, various other elements have an influence on the level of involvement, such as the personal background of the initiators of the project and the interest the local indigenous community has in the site. Also, the participants of the project have to be motivated to collaborate and have to be open to new perspectives and ideas that might contradict their own.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Facing different views. The effect of legislation on the engagement with indigenous peoples during archaeological heritage management projects in the Andean region of Bolivia from the early 1990s onwards.