Red Lima Milenaria Campaign Seeks UNESCO World Heritage Status for Lima's Pre-Colonial Huacas
A grassroots initiative led by Red Lima Milenaria is advocating for the inclusion of select pre-colonial archaeological sites in Lima, Peru, on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This effort is designed to enhance the preservation and recognition of huacas, which are revered sites in Andean culture, as part of a formal nomination process by the Peruvian government. The campaign aligns with broader movements focused on addressing historical injustices and socioeconomic disparities. Notable sites involved are El Paraíso huaca (2000 B.C.), Pucllana huaca (5th century A.D.), Campoy fortress (12th century A.D.), and portions of the Surco Canal. To gain UNESCO status, proof of historical authenticity and local legal safeguarding is necessary. In other developments, Frida Escobedo Studio is renovating MALBA in Buenos Aires, alongside events in Chile highlighting traditional construction trades.
Key facts
- Red Lima Milenaria leads a campaign for UNESCO World Heritage status for pre-colonial sites in Lima, Peru.
- More than 600 archaeological sites remain in Lima, a city of 11 million people.
- The campaign seeks to improve conservation and public awareness of sites that resisted European colonization.
- Huacas are sacred places in traditional Andean culture; César Itier says "huaca" originally meant "split," referring to portable stones linked to a mythical ancestor.
- Javier Lizarzaburu, founder of Red Lima Milenaria, states that UNESCO recognition would bring visibility but the real challenge is integrating huacas into city life.
- Potentially nominated sites include El Paraíso huaca (2000 B.C.), Pucllana huaca (5th century A.D.), Campoy fortress (12th century A.D.), and sections of the Surco Canal.
- A preliminary survey places Lima among capitals like Amman, Yerevan, Jerusalem, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Beirut with architecture dating back approximately 4,000 years or more.
- UNESCO inscription requires historical authenticity, meeting at least one of ten criteria, and adequate local legal protection.
Entities
Artists
- Antonia Piñeiro
- César Itier
- Javier Lizarzaburu
- Frida Escobedo
Institutions
- Red Lima Milenaria
- UNESCO
- Frida Escobedo Studio
- Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA)
- Argentine International Architecture Biennial
Locations
- Lima
- Peru
- San Juan de Lurigancho
- Miraflores
- San Martín de Porres
- San Borja
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
- Chile
- Valparaíso
- Amman
- Yerevan
- Jerusalem
- Cairo
- Abu Dhabi
- Manama
- Beirut
- China
- Mediterranean