The social archaeology collective Imastanen raised concerns this Saturday about the Work commences on the contentious motor circuit in Tenerife, specifically in the region of Arogo (the southern area of Granadilla de Abona). After being alerted by local residents, members of this group visited the site and documented the newly installed signage from the previous morning. They also engaged with workers from the construction company overseeing the excavation, explaining the presence of numerous archaeological sites that could be impacted by the undertaking.
The collective also confirmed that the work perimeter is being secured with fencing and has informed the island’s Heritage department about this matter and their duty to preserve this ancestral heritage. Indeed, following the necessary approvals to conduct assessments, the General Directorate of Nature Protection of the Canary Islands Government and the Department of Territorial Planning, Historical Heritage and Tourism of the Cabildo de Tenerife were made aware of 19 archaeological units, consisting of 17 ethnographic and 3 architectural sites.
The group remains hopeful that, considering the commitment of the relevant authorities, these sites will receive protection, although they express concerns regarding potential repercussions. They continue to oppose this facility and question the fate of “this valuable heritage if its existence had not been disclosed a year ago, within the framework of a contentious initiative that has been sporadically progressing for years, involving clearance activities and the construction of access roads.”
The author further questions the fate of the archaeological and ethnographic materials that have been extracted and removed from their original context, “which have lost much of their significance, hindering further study and, as a result, the impact will be irreversible.” In this regard, they remind us that “the archaeological context of certain engravings holds numerous keys and meanings that are only relevant within the heritage of origin; that is, where they were created. The motivations that compelled the Guanches to produce these rock art representations, often to sanctify specific areas of land, remain largely undiscovered and studying these significant sites in situ would provide invaluable insights about our ancestors, their beliefs, and way of life.”
Naturally, as has been the case thus far, they alert about the ramifications of this heritage being located in the midst of a facility such as a motor circuit. “We find it hard to comprehend how these delicate finds, which cannot be removed without irreversible harm, can coexist and retain their original dignity and cultural value among car parks, stands, bends, and asphalt stretches of a motor circuit designed for high-speed events.”
Consequently, they caution that they will closely monitor the forthcoming developments in a project that, in their view, clearly demonstrates the conflict between the desire to conserve and safeguard our natural resources, cultural heritage, and the developmental model suggested by the current territorial managers.
