Archaeology of Sud Yungas shows off its splendor in CAF Artespacio

(La Paz, June 28, 2012).- “Chungamayu: heritage site to the east of Illimani” is the title of the exhibition that opens today in CAF Artespacio, cultural space of the development bank of Latin America in La Paz. The event combines the progress and perspectives of the ongoing Takesi project in the Sud Yungas region since 2001.

The exhibition features archaeological pieces, graphic supports, photographs and videos which give visitors the opportunity to access information and learn about the tangible and intangible heritage of Irupana in Sud Yungas province of La Paz.

The show will be supplemented by a cycle of lectures by specialists on the archeology of Sud Yungas, its cultural heritage and valorization, heritage conservation and community development projects in the CAF auditorium.

Takesi

The project began with the signing of an agreement between Irupana municipality, the University of Bologna, the Association of Development Consultants (Acude), and Restauro SRL (company specializing in archaeological restoration) with the aim of promoting a plan for tourism and valorization of archaeological sites concluding with the creation of the Illimani Route.

Since pre-Hispanic times Chungamayu Valley in Sud Yungas has seen the flourishing of many societies which chose this 30 km area to the east of Mount Illimani because of its suitability for agriculture.

The studies of the Takesi project reveal that complex, well organized societies developed in this and other Yungas valleys and built their unique monumental architecture, taking full advantage of geographical conditions and location on the important routes for the flows of goods.

Archaeological research – whose results can be seen in the exhibition - have revealed a small portion of the development of the pre-Hispanic societies that settled in Chungamayu and help understand and reconstruct the history of this territory and of the Yungas in general.

The archaeological exhibition can be visited by the La Paz public until July 28 in CAF Artespacio at Avenida Arce Nº 2915 (San Jorge).