The Canary Islands are updating the list of archaeological sites to protect the heritage of the Guanches.

In the Canary Islands, the list of archaeological sites is being updated to protect them.

The government of the Canary Islands, together with the local authorities of the town of Buenavista del Norte and the island of Tenerife, has undertaken an important task – updating the list of archaeological and ethnographic sites on the coast of Buenavista del Norte. The goal is for these places to receive the status of a cultural heritage site in the future, that is, to be under special protection.

Archaeologist Akomar Ruiz said that it has been more than 10 years since the last revision of the list. New research has helped to clarify the condition of 168 already known sites. Most of them are archaeological finds, in particular, "shell middens" left by the Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands. These mounds indicate that the Guanches collected marine resources such as shells and snails.

In addition, 30 previously unknown objects were discovered during the works. Of particular interest are sites that have great scientific significance and archaeological potential. These are the settlements of the Guanches, caves and dwellings that can tell more about how the aborigines collected seafood.

The government emphasizes that this is a unique place to study the life of the Guanches, because rare archaeological sites have been preserved here. Thanks to research, it was also possible to identify places that have been affected by human activities, such as landfills or the expansion of agricultural land. Therefore, the report to be presented will propose measures to protect and preserve these sites.

This project is important to clearly define the boundaries of protected areas for the most valuable sites on the coast of Buenavista del Norte. This is necessary in order for these territories to receive the status of an archaeological zone, that is, a cultural heritage site, in the future.

To see how the work is progressing, the town of Teno Bajo was visited by Miguel Angel Clavijo, Head of the Department of Culture and Cultural Heritage, Eva Garcia, Mayor of Buenavista del Norte, and Victor Manuel Gonzalez, Advisor on Heritage Issues. They were accompanied by a team of archaeologists from PRORED.

"Our knowledge of the Canary Islands needs constant updating, because there is constant pressure on this territory," Clavijo said.

He added that this list of sites is "the only reliable source of information for the management of cultural and natural heritage." After the completion of the works, the documentation will be transferred to the local authorities to start the process of granting these territories the status of a cultural heritage site.

The Mayor of Buenavista del Norte, Eva Garcia, noted that they "have been working for many years to emphasize the value of our heritage sites." She believes that this list will be "an important step in protecting and preserving all the sites that are on the coast of our city."

Garcia thanked the Department of Culture and Cultural Heritage and personally Miguel Angel Clavijo for their support.