1. The Impact of the Copánecos on the Copán Ruinas: A Case for Shared Management Presented by Meru Kheop and Jennifer Simpson April 8, 2009 Harvard University - Anthropology E-160

2. Introduction “The cultural is connected to the socio-political and economic conditions which impact individual life experiences, and the appropriation of lands for the purpose of archaeological study plays a critical role in this” (Bender 1993).

3. Rationale & Assumptions “People with alternative views have to fight for right of entry and the right to express their views. There has to be a concern with…issues of ethnic identity …and with political discourse and how people are empowered” (Bender 1993)

4. Background: The Copán Villagers “The focus on the single site of ancient Maya, simultaneously cancels out the emergence of other histories, which matter greatly to the viability of marginalized groups in the present” (Mortensen 2007)

5. Hondurans & Maya Chorti “The ancient Maya likely occupied only the extreme western region of Honduras, and were only one cultural influence” (Mortensen 2007)

6. Park site exists right within their community -see the direct affects of tourists at the site, and in their town Hondurans living in the community surrounding the archaeological site historically and currently engage with the as labor force -Non-Academic Archaeological Workers -Tour Guides -Few other large scale employers in the community General Claim Direct and Indirect Support Network of the Site

7. Park is a major employer in the area -Labor provided by locals is essential to keep the site operational Park contributes significantly to the national economy & tourism -Community/government has seen no revenue taken from the Park High levels of poverty in the surrounding community Affects of poverty on tourism Importance of Site to the Copánecos Locals provide the labor, without seeing any benefits

8. (1)Move local archaeological support workers to national labor minimum wage (2) One percent (1%) of annual revenues to the local community Board of Advisors to determine how spent ** Transfer of funds from IHAH promotional efforts to locals (3) Expanded role for local artisans and shop proprietors in and near the site Vendor tenders equally open to local community, national and international vendors Involving Local Communities In Management Three Pronged Approach

9. Expansion of educational tourism programs at the Park will have a positive effect on overall profit margin because the Copanecos will be empowered by the opportunity to take ownership, not only of the park that they’ve invested in, but of their own inclusion in the Copan Ruinas story. Importance of the Copánecos to the Site A future of co-ownership of the Copan Ruinas story

10. Sources: Arden, T. (2004). Where are the mayan in ancient maya archaeological tourism? advertising and the appropriation of culture.” In Marketing Heritage: Archaeology and the Consumption of the Past. Rowan, Y. and Uzi B. (Eds.). 103-113. AltaMira Press: Maryland. Bender, B. (Ed.) (1993). Stonehenge - contested landscapes (medieval to present-day). In Landscape Politics and Perspectives - Exploration in Anthropology. 245-279. Berg: Providence/Oxford. Gazin-Schwartz, A. (2004). Mementos of the past: material culture of tourism at stonehenge and avebury. In Marketing Heritage: Archaeology and the Consumption of the Past. Rowan, Y. and Uzi B. (Eds.). 93-102. Rowman & Littlefield: Maryland. Kemf, E. (Ed.) (1993). The Law of the Mother: Protecting Indigenous Peoples in Protected Areas. Sierra Club Books: San Francisco. Locker, W. M. (2005). The rise and fall of flue-cured tobacco in the copán valley and its environmental and social consequences. Human Ecology, 33:3, 299-327. Mortensen, L. (2007). Working borders: the contexts of copán archaeology. Archaeologies: Journal of the World Archaeological Congress, 3:2, 132-152. Mortensen, L. (2009). Producing copán in the archaeology industry. Unpublished Manuscript. Chapter 8, 325-352. Mortenson, L. (2006). Structural complexity and social conflict in managing the past at copán, honduras. In Archaeology, Cultural heritage, and The Antiquities Trade. 258-269. Brodie, N., Kersel, M., Luke, C., and Tubb, K.W. (Eds.). University Press of Florida: Gainseville. Rowan, Y. (2004). Repackaging the pilgrimage: visiting the holy land in orlando. In Marketing Heritage: Archaeology and the Consumption of the Past. 93-102. Rowan, Y. and Uzi B. (Eds.). Rowman & Littlefield: Maryland. Demographics. CIA-The World Factbook - Honduras. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/ge… on April 4, 2009. Demographic. Joshua Project-Hodurans of Honduras. Retrieved from http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopetry.php on April 4, 2009http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopetry.php Photos : Hotel Marina Copán - Copán Ruinas, Honduras. Retrieved from http://www.hotelmarinacopan.com/ on March 27, 2009.http://www.hotelmarinacopan.com/ Peabody Museum Collections Online. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Harvard University. Retrieved from http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/col/default.cfm on April 2, 2009.http://www.peabody.harvard.edu/col/default.cfm Miscellaneous photos. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com on April 4, 2009. Honduras Map. Retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/honduras/ on March 29, 2009.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/honduras/