"Organizing local people can save knowledge"

In National Geographic's April 10 story "King of Bling" Tomb Sheds Light on Ancient Peru" the remarkable excavation of Lord of Ucupe was described as "a first". "This find is particularly important, because it is the first time we have found an individual outside of Sipán that is the same type as some of the leaders found in Sipán," according to archaeologist Steve Bourget.

This would not have been possible if the site had not been protected from looters by local people. Roger Atwood, author of Stealing History, winner of 2004 SAFE Beacon Award, said in a message to SAFE. "The incredible thing is that this discovery happened right where the anti-looting patrols I describe in Chapter 13 of Stealing History work, in the village of Ucupe. So it's a really clear example of how organizing local people can save knowledge. Doesn't get any clearer than this."

Indeed, on page 230, Atwood writes: "The mission of the 'archaeological protection group' is to stop people from occupying the land and plundering what lies beneath it. They scout the land, chase away bands of looters, or they surround them and tie their wrists with rope until the police arrive, and they seize their tools -- shovels, poles, buckets. ... Despite their success in the Moche heartland, the idea of citizens' patrols to curb pillage is still in its infancy. Turning poachers into wardens takes time, a thorough knowledge of local customs and sensitivities, cooperation from the police, and roots in the community that not a lot of archaeological researchers have." (Photograph courtesy Dr. Steve Bourget)

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