Page 14 - ARUBA TODAY

A14 LOCAL
Tuesday 2 april 2019

Geo Insular Patrimony

Episode XII: Each week we share the most interesting and revealing articles regarding

Rock Formations and Rock Art Sites Aruba, a destination to be explored,we can find,and so doing uncover
amazing and informative stories along the way.

ORANJESTAD — Two week ago was the last day permitted by law on which the in-
habitants of this island had their opportunity to express and voice their concerns and
documented observations regarding ROP or insular territorial and space manage-
ment plan for the next 10 years. Document which had to be delivered at DIP, Aruba`s
Department of Infrastructure and Planning. Remarkable was the impact the Town Hall
Meeting made, organized by the Island’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry re-
vealing the lack of information available for the general public in finding help to
assess their individual situation problems and worries. A consolidated report request
answers to the relative importance of all the issues presented that night concerning
island’s territorial providence.

Pic. 2. Arikok pictograph collection in an QD bolder
body would call a drawing other are considered one
one reaches at a total of site, one cluster. In fact,
approximately 270 to 331 “sites” within a radius of 500
separate drawings repre- m are considered one clus-
sentations over 17 sites. ter.
Drawings that are at tens
of meters distance of each Continued on Page 15

Pic. 1 Arikoc rock formation and pictograph site in side PNA.

We as Etnia Nativa`s voiced and share our knowledge is placed on the different
in this matter concerning the status and importance of forms of risk has much to do
archeological sites, rock formations, historical as well as with the specific area of ex-
Natural Monuments, island’s endemic flora and fauna pertise of each researcher
preservation, waste management and demographic im- involved, and, more im-
pact on the natural environment in relation with UN SDG portantly, with the differ-
indicators. ent environments where
rock-art exists. Hence, dif-
Our island has a significant collection of prehistoric rock ferent settings will deter-
art sites. While efforts has been made in the past to edu- mine which weathering
cate the general public to participate in the conserva- patterns are more active
tion of our Natural Heritage, the same unfortunately can- and pose more urgent risks
not be said of rock-art situated in the open-air. Very little to be dealt with by rock-art
has been done to understand and managing weather managers and conserva-
effects and erosion phenomena affecting ancient imag- tors. The worldwide paucity
ery within the relatively protected environments of caves of experienced rock-art
and rock formation shelters. Despite the fact that the professionals signals that
number of known sites has risen in recent decades there open-air rock-art conser-
are few examples in which the weathering and erosion vation has not received
dynamics are under investigation with a view to devel- the attention that other
oping proposals and to mitigate the impact of natural archaeological remains
and cultural processes. Most of the work being done in have attracted.
different parts of the world appears to be ad-hoc, with
minimal communication on such matters between teams Pictograph/Petroglyph.
and with the wider archaeological community. From the In total ca 301 pictographs
many calls for conservation of rock-art coming from very (including 3 petroglyphs)
different parts of the world it becomes apparent that have been found on Aru-
there are many threats to the perpetuation of this sig- ba. Of course one drawing
nificant heritage. Nevertheless, while some authors refer- can be as little as a point
ence physical weathering as the most pressing risk, others or line that may be meant
invoke the negative effects of biodegradation, especially as a separate drawing by
when lichen colonization is concerned. In the present a the ancient artist. Still, by Pic. 3. painting showing form of a man in red pigmentation
relevant case study regarding vandalism at rock-art sites counting every separate surrounded by white colored radiating circles.
is recommended. We suggested that the way emphasis representation that every-