Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient History IV

The Faculty of Social Sciences, together with the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities of the UNC, jointly published the interdisciplinary report: “Casa Bamba”. Violation of rights and historical-cultural and natural heritage in danger, prepared by the interdisciplinary team for territorial work and socio-environmental studies “Casa Bamba”.

Since early 2019, the safety and rights of those living in the “Casa Bamba” area, located on the side of Route E55 between the cities of La Calera and Carlos Paz, have been seriously violated by the arbitrary closure of the only safe access to the village by a mining company. Its inhabitants suffer constant threats and intimidation from private actors and suffer from institutional neglect of the multiple complaints and reports they have been making. This situation, which violates the collective rights of the community and has been going on for three years, has a negative impact on daily life, causing material and psychosocial damage.

Twenty years after the creation of the Bamba Water, Recreation, and Nature Reserve—within which Casa Bamba is located—the lack of government regulation and attention leaves the province's main watershed in a highly vulnerable situation. In addition, the historical and cultural assets present in the “Bamba” Reserve, which constitute an invaluable heritage, are in a state of neglect, in constant deterioration, and at risk of destruction due to socio-natural threats.

The interdisciplinary report “Casa Bamba: Violation of Rights and Endangered Historical, Cultural, and Natural Heritage” is the result of research conducted by the interdisciplinary team for territorial work and socio-environmental studies “Casa Bamba” at the request of the Casa Bamba community.

The report was produced between September 2020 and April 2022 with the participation of teacher-researchers and students from the fields of social sciences, humanities, and earth sciences with experience working on issues related to land, human rights, gender, and socio-environmental conflicts. In addition to interdisciplinary work, the research involved a “dialogue of knowledge” that integrates local community knowledge with the diverse voices of actors linked to the territory.