The United States Embassy, through the U.S. AMBASSADORS FUND FOR CULTURAL PRESERVATION, will finance Yachay Tech’s project “Safeguarding the Caranqui Cultural Heritage in Northern Ecuador” with $ 220,271.20. The project seeks to preserve the local cultural heritage of Urcuquí, excavated by Ecuadorian archaeologists during the construction of infrastructure around the university.

The goal of the project is to maintain and preserve the Archaeological Collection located in the Hacienda San Eloy, of the Urcuquí canton.

According to José María Lalama, PhD., President of the Supervisory and Institutional Strengthening Commission (CIFI) and Rector of Yachay Tech, this achievement has been possible thanks to the joint work between the University, the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Decentralized Autonomous Government of Urcuquí.

The Project, led by Principal Investigator Elisa Piispa PhD, professor at Yachay Tech, seeks to benefit both the university community and the population of the Urcuquí canton, from the cultural richness that this collection brings. In addition, the research that could be carried out in the future by the University and any other higher education institution that may be interested in it, will develop more our knowledge about an important cultural phase of Ecuador and its adaptations to an Andean environment that is tectonically and volcanically active.

This important contribution from the United States Embassy will allow for the creation of an archaeological museum, the treatment of archaeological assets and the preservation of the collection that comprises more than 58,000 pieces from the Caranqui culture, of which 2,800 are complete and well-preserved. (Most of the collection is composed of ceramics, tools, bones, shells, metal sculptures and textiles, associated with burials).

The existing collection will be preserved, stored and carefully curated in a safe place within Yachay Tech University, in collaboration with the local community.

According to Elisa Piispa, within this perspective, “local archaeological knowledge will be disseminated at 360°, and it will have a community outreach and stakeholder participation. Getting the local community involved and engaged in the preservation of their own cultural heritage is an important part of any conservation process. This is a key component of the project that guarantees continuity beyond the three-year support of the United States Embassy.”

Through these actions, Yachay Tech reaffirms its commitment to research and preservation of Ecuador’s cultural heritage, strengthening inter-institutional work and ties with society and creating a source of income for the local community to encourage its development.