[Aztlan] "Teotihuacan In Danger"

[kim Goldsmith]

Contrary to "amarillista" press, the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone is NOT in danger.  As decided by the Mexican Government and agreed upon by the Consejo Arqueológico (INAH), "Resplandor Teotihuacan" (a sort of light show with an informational script that is read along with it) is being carried out.

Any "damage" to the monuments was actually a series of lightly-intrusive bolts that were anchored in the modern cement on the monuments - - in NO WAY affecting the pre-hispanic architecture.  Nonetheless, after protests by some investigators, alternative lighting methods were agreed upon and are now being set in place.

This is not the first time Teotihuacan has had a "light and sound show", and it is not the only large cultural monument (either in Mexico or other parts of the world) to have such an attraction.

"Resplandor" is meant as an attraction that will increment jobs in all the seven municipios around the site.  It is part of a larger "Tourist Corridor" (in an area that is far enough away from San Juan that it is not anywhere near the old prehispanic city boundaries) that is meant to bring more visitors to the area, hence more jobs for the local citizens.

One of the biggest problems in tourism at Teotihuacan is that people use Mexico City as a base, come out during the day, visit only the site (NOT the neighboring towns), and then go back to the D.F. to spend the night.  Now with something to actually DO at night, more people will spend at least one night in the neighboring towns, incrementing the need for different services that only the creation of new jobs can fulfill.

"Resplandor Teotihuacan" is NOT damaging anything.  It will be a powerful force in economically lifting the surrounding areas.  As an archaeologist myself, I believe that often times we are guilty in our zeal of wanting to keep everyone and everything stagnant in time.  As an Anthropologist, I realize that there are living cultures that need to be heeded and nourished.  "Resplandor" is a program that will accomplish just that.

KIM

Kim C. Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Archaeologist and Member of the Teo. Community for 28 years
Teotihuacan
  MEXICO