SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 3rd Sept. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Directorate of Culture and Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands Government, in collaboration with the Town Hall of Buenavista del Norte and the Cabildo of Tenerife, is financing the update of the archaeological and ethnographic inventory of the coastline of this municipality in preparation for its future declaration as a Cultural Heritage Asset (BIC).
More than ten years have passed since the last inventory was reviewed. The new surveys have allowed for a “diagnosis of the conservation status of the 168 documented heritage assets,” announced archaeologist Hacomar Ruiz.
The vast majority of these elements are archaeological sites, primarily “shell middens related to the gathering of marine resources such as limpets and sea urchins by the Guanche society,” he explained.
Furthermore, this work has enabled the registration of thirty previously unrecorded assets, among which are “certain areas of scientific interest and significant archaeological potential,” Ruiz stated.
He specifically mentioned “Guanche habitation areas, caves, and occupation structures that could enhance knowledge about shellfishing activities during the aboriginal period.”
The Government emphasises that, without a doubt, this is a privileged area for studying the Guanche way of life through unique archaeological sites preserved in such rich areas as Teno Bajo, Blanca Gil, Las Arenas, or La Fuente.
These efforts have also identified some sites that have been affected by anthropogenic alterations or impacts, “such as waste, discharges, or agricultural land expansion,” the archaeologist noted.
As a result, the document to be presented “will establish proposals for protective and conservation measures to prevent such deterioration,” he declared.
CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSET
This project responds to the need for a rigorous delineation regarding the protection perimeters of those assets of special relevance along the coastline of Buenavista del Norte for the future file concerning its declaration as a BIC in the category of Archaeological Zone.
To familiarise themselves with the work being carried out in the Tenerife municipality, Miguel Ángel Clavijo, General Director of Culture and Cultural Heritage; Eva García, Mayor of Buenavista del Norte; and Víctor Manuel González, Councillor for Heritage, visited Teno Bajo along with the team of archaeologists from the specialised company PRORED.
“Scientific knowledge of the Canary Islands requires continuous updates because the pressure on the territory is significant,” Clavijo stated.
This inventory, he indicated, is the “only reliable source to keep up to date in the management of cultural and natural heritage” within this environment. Once the work is completed, “all this documentation will be transferred to the Cabildo of Tenerife and the town council to initiate the procedures for the BIC declaration.”
From the Town Hall of Buenavista del Norte, the Mayor pointed out, “we have been working for many years to highlight our heritage assets,” and this inventory “will represent a turning point in the protection and conservation of all the heritage elements we have along the coast of our village.”
García expressed her gratitude to the General Directorate of Culture and Cultural Heritage, especially to Miguel Ángel Clavijo, for his “commitment” to the municipality.
