Partnership between Iphan and ICMBio maps caves with archaeological significance in Brazil
A national survey will identify and protect caves with historical remains, preventing damage and guiding sustainable tourism use.
247 - The National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) have launched a joint initiative to map Brazilian caves of archaeological, historical, cultural, or religious significance. The measure aims to ensure the preservation of these natural formations and protect their historical and scientific heritage.
According to Iphan archaeologist Danilo Curado, preservation is essential to avoid the irreversible loss of valuable information. "Caves are natural archives that preserve archaeological remains of great historical value, in addition to harboring fragile ecosystems and unique biodiversity," he stated. He explained that, although archaeological sites and caves are federal property, management is divided: Iphan takes care of archaeological sites and ICMBio takes care of caves.
Mapping and technical criteria
The survey will be conducted by cross-referencing geospatial data from the National Center for Cave Research and Conservation (Cecav/ICMBio) with archaeological site records from Iphan. Caves with evidence of ancestral human occupation, such as ceramic fragments, rock inscriptions, burials, and lithic artifacts, will be inspected in the field by archaeologists and technicians from both institutions. According to MMA Normative Instruction No. 2/2017, the presence of an archaeological site automatically assigns the highest level of relevance to the cave, preventing its destruction or alteration, including in mining areas or urban expansion zones.
National Working Group
The initiative is in its initial phase and foresees the creation of a Working Group (WG) coordinated by the National Center for Archaeology (CNA/Iphan), with representatives from the five regions of the country. The WG, which should begin in September, will include ten Iphan employees and two from ICMBio. For the head of the Registration and Cadastre Service of the CNA, Thiago Trindade, the action is fundamental to establishing criteria for identifying "outstanding historical-cultural or religious relevance" and improving the preservation of underground archaeological sites.
Educational challenges and actions
The project has already identified potential caves of interest in the state of Goiás, with rock art and human burials dating back approximately 12 years. Among the main challenges are unregulated tourism, a lack of specific rules for public use, mining in sensitive areas, and a lack of local awareness about the archaeological importance of these formations.
To address these problems, a "Manual of Good Practices for Tourist, Sporting, Educational and Cultural Use in Caves with Archaeological Sites" will be developed, with guidelines for responsible visitation and preservation. The material will be educational in nature and will be distributed to communities, visitors, and tour operators.
Impact and public policies
The national mapping will result in the Map of Natural Caves and Archaeological Sites of Brazil, a tool that will support public policies, territorial planning, environmental licensing, and tourism management in sensitive areas. The partnership arose within the context of the National Action Plan (PAN) Caves of Brazil, coordinated by ICMBio, with the objective of aligning competencies and overcoming regulatory challenges for the joint protection of cultural and environmental heritage.
