Museums, Archaeology and Community: A Vision for QuitoLoma Chumillos Central, Ecuador
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Authors
Loewen, Alison
Issue Date
2007
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This master's project explores principles of bottom-up, participatory planning for a community archaeology museum in Chumillos Central, Ecuador. The community of Chumillos Central is located north of Quito, near the pueblo of El Quinche in the Province of Pichincha. The community is nestled within the paramo hills at altitudes nearing 3,200 meters. Scattered throughout the hills live 290 people who tend to fields of potato, habas, and chochos. Others make cheese, work in the transportation industry or go to Quito to find work as day laborers. The sun sets above the clouds in Chumillos Central, sinking slowly below them into the valley. At night, the view is stunning: perhaps the best vista in Ecuador, with the city lights of Quito twinkling in the valley below and the universe shining in full clarity above. The people of Chumillos Central are similarly stunning, with wide smiles and open hands for shaking. During the time I spent there researching this masters project during the summer of 2007, there was always a salutation, an interest in where I came from and a question about whether I liked Chumillos Central and Ecuador; I was invited to festivals, parties, food or drink if it was in occasion.