Ciudad Perdida, Central Platform, Feasting and Ceremonial Terraces. © Global Heritage Fund. Ciudad Perdida, A “Lost City” of Unique Architectural Form

Current Project

) Ciudad Perdida, ribe r Ca Ma Colombia and feasting areas, canals and storehouses. In a ( Riohacha Site Significance Se o an Barranquilla be o ib Valledupar ar comparison to the other 26 settlements found C Cartagena Ciudad The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a UNESCO- in the upper section of the Buritaca river basin, Perdida Sincelejo Venezuela designated Biosphere Reserve, is a triangle- Monteria it appears to be the largest of the Tayrona sites Panama Cucuta shaped mountainous massif comprising 12,000 in the Sierra Nevada and is believed to have square miles that rises from the Colombian Bucaramanga Arauca been the center of Tayrona political, social and Medellin Puerto Carreno

) Quibdo o c Manizales coastline to an altitude of approximately 19,000 i Yopal f i economic power. c Pereira a P Bogota Armenia o Ibague o feet within 30 miles of the Caribbean, making n a Villavicencio e Colombia c Puerto Inirida Map Legend O ( n Cali a Ciudad Perdida Site it one of the highest and most ecologically e c O Neiva Preservation by Design® ic National Capital if San Jose Del Guavare c a Popayan diverse coastal mountain ranges in the world. P City Florencia o Airport Pasto Mitu Mocoa From A.D. 200 until A.D. 1600-1650, the Project Goals River International Border northern portion of the massif was inhabited Provincial Border GHF is implementing a 5-6 year project in Brazil by a number of autonomous polities of varying Ecuador N the upper Buritaca River Basin in the Sierra size and political power known collectively as Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, focusing Peru Å the Tayrona. Archaeological research since Threats 1:9,000,000 on the conservation of sites from the Tayrona Leticia 0 100 200 400 the early 1920s has shown that during this km © GHF 2009 Prepared by Adam R. Dunbar civilization. The Tayrona Conservation Project Climate time period, the Tayrona built over 250 stone focuses on planning, conservation, community masonry towns spread out through a 2000 Vegetation development and strategic partnerships for -square-mile area. the sustainable preservation of Ciudad Perdida Neglect National Archaeological Park and other Looting Ciudad Perdida, which means “Lost City”, was surrounding Tayrona civilization sites, and the discovered in 1975 and includes more than Unsustainable Tourism protection of the rich cultural heritage of the 200 structures in an area of approximately 30 indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada hectares (80 acres). The structures include de Santa Marta. Start Date dwellings of various sizes, terraces, stone- lined paths and staircases, plazas, ceremonial 2009

Global Heritage Fund, Current Projects Planning Conservation activities will be focused at the site of Ciudad Perdida and 2-3 other major GHF and partners will focus on the Tayrona sites in the area. development of a Buritaca Management Plan, including a tourism plan and carrying capacity Community assessment. Planning efforts will also include biological and environment assessments of the GHF community development efforts will focus Buritaca Valley and community development on trail maintenance to Ciudad Perdida and needs assessment for the indigenous and local the development of indigenous owned eco- communities. tourism lodges in the Buritaca River Basin, training, capacity building, basic infrastructure Project Partnerships improvements and basic health and education improvements for both indigenous- and local • Colombian Institute of Anthropology and communities. Other activities will include revival History (ICANH) of traditional handicrafts, environmental and • Organization Gonawindua Tayrona (OGT) cultural protection curriculum development for • Colombian Ministry of Culture local schools, and microcredit and business skills training for indigenous- and local women.

Conservation Science

Scientific conservation will include mapping of indigenous sacred sites, Ciudad Perdida and other major Tayrona sites of the Upper Buritaca.

(Top) Vegetation overgrowth on a ring platform. (Bottom) Local community member (left) and archaeologist Santiago Giraldo (right) The trail leading from the river to the central platforms of discuss Ciudad Perdida. © Global Heritage Fund. Ciudad Perdida is made up of 1,200 stone steps. © Global Heritage Fund. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, is one of the most ecologically diverse coastal mountains in the world.

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