With the participation of law students, a visit was carried out to different sites of cultural significance, located in the Tarapacá ravine, including the ancient village of Pircas, the Petrogiflos Ravine and its surroundings, as well as the Geoglyph of Cerro Unita.
In the indigenous territory, students were able to see settlements built in 480 BC differentiated by a typical circular stone construction pattern, constructions scattered over the ravine and from where extensive geoglyphs, offering fields and cemeteries can be seen. The area was inhabited by hunter-gatherers at different stages of history, allowing students to learn the relevant aspects of indigenous legislation, territoriality conflicts, protection of material and intangible cultural heritage, all with an approach focused on the reality of the communities. local indigenous people.
The Academic of the University of Tarapacá and Dr. Álvaro Espinoza Collao, explained that this learning process is essential in the collective memory of the students and is part of the Fondecyt Regular project N°1240743, entitled “Conflicts over real estate property in the Tarapacá plateau. An area of Aymara law and the urgency of a legal articulation in accordance with the standards of current law in Chile.”
Furthermore, Dr. Espinoza added that, “The University of Tarapacá is emerging as a complex higher education institution, committed to strengthening the cultural identity of the indigenous peoples that inhabit the Region and that deploys its work in the creation of new knowledge in a context of multiculturalism and respect for current diversity. This phenomenon, present in every human community, is transformed and adapted to each time in a context of cultural belonging.”
Indigenous Law is appreciated from a socio-cultural reality historically conditioned by principles, norms and values that rest on the memory and work of different peoples. At present, the University has incorporated the chair of Interculturality and Law, as well as the elective of Law, Natural Resources and Territory.
For his part, the person in charge of the Land and Water Unit of CONADI, pointed out that, “An experiential experience awakens in the students different interests that can in the future collaborate with the development and improvement of Indigenous conflicts, which, when studied in depth, they contribute to the history of humanity and finally point to an evolutionary action with historical weight, identity and belonging.”
At the same time, he adds that CONADI, in compliance with its legal mandate, carries out actions aimed at protecting sites of cultural significance, in collaborative work with indigenous communities and the Ministry of National Assets, so that in the future said sites may have protection and enhancement projects.
