For many years, people have been finding pieces of Pre-Columbian pottery, stone statues, grinding stones or 'metates' and petroglyphs in the immediate area of El Tuma - La Dalia, north of Matagalpa, central-north Nicaragua. Years of war and abandoned research has left this area, just like the majority of central-north Nicaragua, uninvestigated.

 

 

 

 

 

With the request of the municipality of La Dalia Tuma, a partnership has been created between different organizations and private practitioners for the preservation of the cultural heritage in the town of El Tuma - La Dalia and its value for the benefit of the public. To maximize the sustainability of the project, the partnership would take into account the educational, social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts, and  community participation in its methodology and objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Archaeology of El Tuma - La Dalia

 

The archaeology and cultural heritage of El Tuma- La Dalia is dominated by its diverse indigenous origin. According to local accounts and data that have been collected, several indigenous communities lived together in this region until the early 20th century. Some people still remember the presence of indigenous communities more recently, mention how Nahuatl communities appeared more commonly in the Pacific region, Miskito communities in the Caribbean coast, Matagalpa/Chontales/Ulua communities and Mayagna communities in the center and north of Nicaragua.

 

 

 

 

 

Project Objectives 2014 - 2016:

 

• Archaeological, anthropological, historical research and any other relevant discipline in the region of the town Tuma La Dalia 

• Protection of cultural heritage of the region and its presentation to the public 

• Stimulate, diversify and contribute to the education of the community and its participation in cultural and social activities 

• Diversify and contribute to tourism and economic development of the region

 

 

 

More specifically:

 

• Creating an inventory of the cultural heritage and archaeological documentation of the archaeological sites in the region

• Documentation of ethnographic and historical material in the region ( see 4.3)

• Preservation of archaeological sites and materials

• Creating a museum that is part of the varied cultural center of the municipality, installed as a part of the project that will target the conservation, protection and distribution of assets of the municipality, and contribute to the education of the public about the ownership and valuation of the cultural heritage of the region

• Creating a scenic trail with access to archaeological sites for local and tourist groups

• Establishing a community network for the participation and involvement in cooperation with the agencies involved in the project and for the maintenance of the museum and the cultural and historical heritage in the region and its further research

 

 

 

 

For more information on the project or our FIELDSCHOOL opportunities: archaetypes@gmail.com