The Village of Nivín, Peru and the 2017 Floods

~ Elizabeth Cruzado Carranza & Robert Connolly

Our past newsletters featured resources that report the co-creative projects launched in Nivín through the collaboration led by Gustavo Valencia, Elizabeth Cruzado Carranza, and Robert Connolly. These include photographic reports of the work , report on International Archaeology Day celebration in Nivín, and an Annual Report for the 2016 co-creative projects.

Nivín is one of the most affected communities in the Casma Valley from the recent flooding. At least one-third of the houses in the community are washed away. Mudslides have buried other houses and agricultural fields. The 25 km road from Casma to Nivín is currently impassable. Elderly and ill members of the community were airlifted to Casma by the Peruvian government.

The community is committed to rebuilding. We asked Professor Valencia if we should cancel our plans for archaeological research this summer and focus solely on flood relief. He suggested that we continue with both sets of tasks. Elizabeth and Robert will lead a small team of Peruvian archaeologists and U.S. interns who will assist with both the flood rebuilding efforts and co-creative cultural heritage projects for 10 - weeks beginning in late May of this year.

AgriculturalFieldsinNivínin2016andaftertheMarch2017floods.

Nivínschoolbasketballcourtin2016andcurrentcondition.

ThehomesofNivín’s peopleweredevastatedbytheMarch2017floods.

Schoolclassroomin2016andduringthetheMarch2017flood.

Thevillagemuseumfilledwithabout20cmofwater(photoonright).Becauseofworkcarriedoutinthesummerof2016,veryfewartifactswereaffected.

Moreimagesofthefloodedschool.

AboveishowtheNivínschoolgroundsusuallyappear.TotheleftistheirconditionaftertheMarchflooding.

Becauseofthefloodedconditionsinmuchofthevillage(upperrightofthisphoto),theresidentshavecreatedmakeshiftsheltersonanupperterraceofaprehistoricarchaeologicalsite.

WearecommittedtocontinuingourworkwiththepeopleofNivínastheytakeonagreaterroleinthestewardshipoftheirculturalheritage.

Wearealsocommittedtoworkingwiththecommunityintheireffortstodevelopsustainableagriculturalpracticesandimprovedlivingconditions.

WeinviteyoutojoinwithusinsupportoftheneededrecoveryworkdesperatelyneededbythepeopleofNivín.

YourhelpisneedednowtorebuildthelivesofthepeopleofNivín.

Yourdonation,largeorsmallisgreatlyappreciated.Goto:

GoFundMe.com/p/mq6f

Thankyouinadvanceforyoursupport!