The Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo) in Corferias, was the scene of an emotional and enriching Conversation: “San José Galeón Project: A scientific and cultural mission”, organized by the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar), the Colombian Navy , the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge and the Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History -ICANH, in which more than 500 people learned about the fascinating history of this emblematic shipwreck.
The discussion included the participation of leading experts in underwater archaeology, maritime history and conservation of cultural heritage, in which a detailed and multidisciplinary vision of the Galeón San José project and the ongoing efforts to investigate, protect and preserve the remains were offered. of submerged cultural heritage.
During the session in the José Asunción Silva auditorium, the panelists: Rear Admiral Hermann Aicardo León, Manager of the functional area of the Galeón San José Project; Mónica Orduña Monsalve, Management Advisor of Mincultura; Alhena Caicedo Fernández, Director of the Colombian Institute of Archeology and History -ICANH; and Captain Julio Monroy, Project Manager, shared information about the latest progress and discoveries of the project, as well as reflections on the challenges and opportunities they face on the path to understanding and preserving this important underwater archaeological find.
“It was a great opportunity to show the importance of the research project on the San José galleon, symbol of the Colombian maritime nation. It is a common effort of the country’s science and technology institutes, an unprecedented scientific exploration into the heart of the galleon, the heritage of all Colombians,” highlighted Rear Admiral Hermann Aicardo León, *Functional Area Manager of the San José Galleon Project.
Marco Tulio Robayo, author of the graphic novel: Hunting for the San José Galleon: The Shipwreck (Part I), also participated, as well as journalists, researchers, history enthusiasts and the public attending Filbo, interested in the maritime history of Colombia, underwater archeology and the conservation of cultural heritage.
«We are pleased with the positive response from the public in which many boys and girls and young people participated who are interested in the project in which we are reconstructing a part of history. The project is advancing with great caution and the greatest care, from the methodology to the budgetary and execution issues based on the highest international standards,” said Captain Julio Monroy, Project Manager.
He explained that the ARC ship “Caribe” is the research platform from which underwater robotics are deployed. “The ship will also be key in the conservation process, which will take place at the Caribbean Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research Center (CIOH), where we are making some adaptations and providing spaces and laboratories and thus bringing the project to a successful conclusion” said the officer.
The General Maritime Directorate will continue to work in an articulated manner with the entities that lead the interdisciplinary scientific research of this cultural heritage in deep waters, complying with the guidelines, based on the highest national and international standards, as well as the strengthening of technical and state technologies.
