Officially classifying Venezuelan rock art sites as protected assets

Abstract

Starting from the few, unsuccessful experiences to classify Venezuelan rock art sites as protected assets, this article investigates factors that intervened in the official classification of these archaeological spaces. These factors include the ideological context and diachronic treatment of Amerindian cultural references by political agents, principles that govern the logic of such classification, and the popular imaginations recreated in communities where rock art is found. Field and documentary research techniques are applied, through the lens of the postcolonial approach and ethnohistorical studies. We present some considerations to broaden the debate and pave the way for future studies.

Keywords
Heritage; Archaeological heritage; Rock art; Community with rock art; Venezuela