December 2011, Daily News

The Lost City of Colombia Gets a New Lease on Life

Wed, Dec 07, 2011

Except to some discriminating trekkers, scientists, conservationists, and the local population and government officials, the ancient site of Ciudad Perdida in Colombia is known to few. The name means "Lost City", and its survival now suffers a multiplicity of threats from the environment, neglect, and newly increased tourism.

Located high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta coastal range above the Buritaca river basin near northern Colombia’s Caribbean coast, the site became known to the world when it was discovered by looters in 1975, although for generations it was no secret to the local inhabitants of the area. Beginning in 1976, it has been managed by the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History (ICANH) as the Teyuna-Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park. Called "Teyuna" by the current Native American inhabitants of the area, it is said to have been built by the Tayrona, a people who, from 200 AD until about 1600-1650 AD, established over 250 stone masonry settlements across an area of 2,000 square miles. Teyuna was the largest of these sites. Thus far, archaeologists have uncovered over two hundred structures here, covering an area of approximately thirty hectares (80 acres). Structures include a variety of dwellings, plazas, ceremonial areas, stone-lined paths, staircases, canals and storehouses. Most impressive is a monumental ceremonial platform complex in the settlement core, served by a winding stone stairway. It features an architectural style that is unique among all ancient sites in South America. Beyond these finds and still enshrouded in forest is evidence of more structures yet to be thoroughly investigated by archaeologists.

But the biggest story about Teyuna for the moment is not its architectural wonder and mystery, but the multiple threats to its sustainability. Although the rampant looting has been to a great extent arrested, it now faces challenges from erosion, destabilizing vegetation growth, neglect, narcotics activity in the area, and unsustainable tourism. Reports the Global Heritage Fund (GHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and developing archaeological sites in developing countries, "the immediate concern is to stabilize the platform structures most endangered by erosion and to ensure their long-term survival using appropriate conservation techniques".[1]

The stabilization is only a start. In partnership with the ICANH, GHF hopes to help develop and implement a site Management Plan, continue to document and conserve the archaeological features, and involve the local indigenous communities as stakeholders in longer-term preservation and sustainable development of the site. Key to the efforts will be the Management Plan.

"Currently the site of Ciudad Perdida and the Tayrona archaeological sites of the Buritaca River Basin do not have a management plan to provide a comprehensive framework to deal with the legal protection of monuments and their integration into regional and municipal development plans, monitoring and maintenance, research, mapping, sustainable tourism, infrastructure, indigenous beliefs, visitor management, park carrying capacity, financial planning, etc."[1], reports the GHF. But the ICANH and GHF are now engaged in developing such a plan, which will include a tourism plan with provisions designed to decrease visitor impact on the site; biological and environmental assessments of the Buritaca Valley; a community development needs assessment for the local communities; and a site management and preservation plan that includes the Teyuna - Ciudad Perdida Archaeological Park as well as surrounding archaeological sites. Colombian government officials have already initiated discussions with the local/indigenous authorities of the area in order to integrate the indigenous people's perspectives into the plan. Part of the plan is to ensure that more of the revenue generated by increased tourism to the site will end up in the hands of the indigenous population and local communities, contrary to the current tourism models present at many historic and archaeological sites throughout the developing world, where revenues go to outside entities.

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Threats to the site include lack of sufficient planning, vegetation overgrowth, looting, narcotics activity in the area, and uncontrolled tourism. Above, an unexcavated stone platform covered in overgrown jungle vegetation. Caption Text and Photo Credit: GHF

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GHF and ICANH team members assess an archaeological map of Ciudad Perdida and plan out conservation strategies at the site. Caption Credit: GHF.  Photo Credit: Dan Thompson PhD, GHF  

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Much is left to do, not only in terms of sustaining and developing the site for future generations and for local economic development, but also for ensuring continuing research for answers to the questions about the significance of Teyruna-Ciudad Perdida and its surrounding settlements and the people who lived there so many years ago.

"We are only beginning to understand Ciudad Perdida’s complex history and the changes it underwent throughout time", reports GHF.[1]

More information about Ciudad Perdida and the current efforts can be obtained at GHF's website at http://globalheritagefund.org/what_we_do/overview/current_projects/ciudad_perdida_colombia. 

In addition, see the featured article about Ciudad Perdida in the September issue of Popular Archaeology Magazine.

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[1] http://globalheritagefund.org/what_we_do/overview/current_projects/ciudad_perdida_colombia

Cover Photo, Top Left: View of the center area of Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City") in north-eastern Colombia  Wanderingstan  Wikimedia Commons