The
goals of the research and conservation program in the Sierra del Lacandón
are two-fold. The Sierra del Lacandón region is home to two of the
most well-known and important ancient Maya sites: Yaxchilán and Piedras
Negras, both recognized on the World Monuments Fund Watch List of the 100
most endangered cultural sites. Cultural remains on both banks of the Usumacinta
River are threatened by looters and encroaching development. But a more
pressing threat comes from the construction of hydroelectric dams on the
Usumacinta that would inundate much of the national park. Numerous archaeological
sites would be submerged, and many of these have yet to be officially reported
to Guatemalan authorities. Working in conjunction with the Defensores de
la Naturaleza, a non-governmental organization that administers the National
Park, we hope to preserve the natural and cultural patrimony of the region.
Our international research team is composed of highly experienced archaeologists,
agronomists, hydrologists and other professionals all working towards the
protection of the Sierra del Lacandón National Park. We need your
assistance to better realize our goals - the protection of Guatemala’s
cultural and natural heritage in this important and imperiled region.
Your donation of money or equipment can be made to the World Monuments Fund, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of imperiled works of art and architecture worldwide through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education and training. As such, the WMF is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions, of cash, appreciated stocks or in-kind gifts, made to WMF are deductible as provided in Section 170 of the Tax Code to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your company would be listed as a sponsor of the SLRAP and would be credited in all publications produced by the project and on our website (http://www.sierralacandon.org).
Please contact Charles Golden, cgolden@sas.upenn.edu,
with any questions about how you can help protect the Sierra del Lacandón.
"World Monuments Fund (WMF) is the foremost private, non-profit organization
dedicated to the preservation of historic art and architecture worldwide
through fieldwork, advocacy, grantmaking, education, and training. Since
its founding in 1965, the New York-based WMF has worked with local communities
and partners to stem the loss of more than 300 important and irreplaceable
monuments in 70 countries including the Temple of Preah Khan at Angkor,
Hagia Sophia, and Brancusi's monumental Endless Column. The World Monuments
Watch, a program of World Monuments Fund, issues the List of 100 Most
Endangered Sites every other year." (from their website,
http://wmf.org)
The Defensores de la Naturaleza is a Non-governmental organization charged
with the protection and development of sustainable uses of natural resources
in the Sierra del Lacandon and Sierra de las Minas National Forests of
Guatemala. The Defensores work in conjunction with g
overnmental organizations such as CONAP.
Fieldwork in 2004 was supported by a grant to
Dr. Charles Golden by the National
Geographic Society.
Fieldwork in 2003 was supported by a grant to Dr. Charles Golden by
the Foundation for the
Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc
Pelican Products has generously donated a selection of Pelican waterprood cases to support the efforts of the Sierra del Lacandon Regional Archaeology Project.
Our research has been generously supported by the Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. through the donation of a dozen Leatherman Tools. This quality equipment helped in the success of the Sierra del Lacandon Regional Archaeology Project's first field season in 2003.
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