The Impact of the Copánecos on the Copán Ruinas: A Case for Shared Management

Presented byMeru Kheop and Jennifer Simpson

April 8, 2009Harvard University - Anthropology E-160

Introduction

“The cultural is connected to the socio-political and economic conditions which impact individual life experiences,

and the appropriation of lands for the purpose of archaeological study plays a critical role in this”

(Bender 1993).

Rationale & Assumptions

“People with alternative views have to fight forright of entry and the right to express their views.

There has to be a concern with…issues of ethnic identity…and with political discourse and how people

are empowered”(Bender 1993)

Background: The Copán Villagers

“The focus on the single site of ancient Maya,simultaneously cancels out the emergence of other

histories, which matter greatly to the viabilityof marginalized groups in the present”

(Mortensen 2007)

Hondurans & Maya Chorti

“The ancient Maya likely occupied only the extremewestern region of Honduras, and were only one

cultural influence”(Mortensen 2007)

• Park site exists right within their community- see the direct affects of tourists at the site, and in their town

• Hondurans living in the community surrounding the archaeological

site historically and currently engage with the as labor force - Non-Academic Archaeological Workers

- Tour Guides

- Few other large scale employers in the community

General Claim

Direct and Indirect Support Network of the Site

• Park is a major employer in the area- Labor provided by locals is essential to keep the site operational

• Park contributes significantly to the national economy & tourism- Community/government has seen no revenue taken from the Park

• High levels of poverty in the surrounding community

• Affects of poverty on tourism

Importance of Site to the Copánecos

Locals provide the labor, without seeing any benefits

(1) Move local archaeological support workers to national

labor minimum wage

(2) One percent (1%) of annual revenues to the local community• Board of Advisors to determine how spent

• ** Transfer of funds from IHAH promotional efforts to locals

(3) Expanded role for local artisans and shop proprietors in and near the

site• Vendor tenders equally open to local community, national and

international vendors

Involving Local Communities In Management

Three Pronged Approach

• Expansion of educational tourism programs at the

Park will have a positive effect on overall profit margin

because the Copanecos will be empowered by the

opportunity to take ownership, not only of the park that they’ve

invested in, but of their own inclusion in the Copan Ruinas story.

Importance of the Copánecos to the Site

A future ofco-ownership of the Copan Ruinas story

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Demographic. Joshua Project-Hodurans of Honduras. Retrieved from http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopetry.php on April 4, 2009

Photos :Hotel Marina Copán - Copán Ruinas, Honduras. Retrieved from http://www.hotelmarinacopan.com/ on March 27, 2009.

Peabody Museum Collections Online. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Harvard University. Retrieved from http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/col/default.cfm on April 2, 2009.

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Honduras Map. Retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/honduras/ on March 29, 2009.