UJ#5 Paracas

EXPAT
Giuseppe
Orefici
By
Iñigo Maneiro
ITALIAN ARCHAEOLOGIST AND ARCHITECT, GIUSEPPE OREFICI, 67, IS THE DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATION AT THE ANTONINI
MUSEUM AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ON GOING RESEARCH AT THE CAHUACHI TEMPLE, BOTH LOCATED IN NASCA.
When did you first arrive in Peru?
I came to Peru in 1977 because there was a job for an archaeologist in the rural
southern jungle area. And I stayed. Since then I have worked in Madre de Dios,
Yurimanguas, Ausangate and, primarily, in Nasca where I began my research
on Cahuachi in 1984.
What differences have you found on both a personal and professional
level between other countries where you worked and Peru?
In Peru I have found high quality people, and of course, a language that,
because it is easy for me, has allowed me to work in the country. I continue
to work in other countries but I have a special relationship with Peru where we
have developed so many projects: The Antonioni Museum, The Investigation
Centre, and my work in Cahuachi…….
What is archaeological work like?
Like ants we work slowly, steadily and within a distinct time frame and perspective.
For example, cleaning a 10-metre-long wall takes three people 10 full days.
What does a visit to Cahuachi add to the Nasca experience?
A tourist visit to Nasca should most definitely include a visit to Cahuachi because
it was the largest and most important cultural centre for the Nasca people for
over 1,000 years. A visit to Cahuachi helps one understand the people, and
thus better understand the monumental significance of the geoglyphs the locals
created, and the enormous artistic effort that it took to do so.
Recently there have been new archaeological discoveries in Huarmey.
Is there a limit to what we can find in Peru and in the paradigm changes
each of these discoveries implies?
Today, there is a deep understanding of the archaeological history of Peru for
the past 2,000 years, but the key to the future, at least for me, moves into the
jungle regions and continues in the Andean zones. The jungle is where we are
going to make new discoveries and therefore more deeply understand all of our
ancient history.
What is the vision of Peru in Italy? What grabs people’ s attention the
most?
Obviously, the Incas. There is very little knowledge about earlier Peruvian
civilisations. Peru is a country that seems very far away for Italians, though
it is well known for its important cultural history. Italians who visit Peru are
impressed not only with the country’s rich cultural traditions, but also with her
history, folklore traditions and natural beauty. Still, from the Italian perspective,
the archaeological monuments in Peru, and in Mexico, are the most important
historical objects in Latin American and therefore attract the most interest.
Why did you decide to stay and work in Peru?
I stayed because of my relationship with the ancient Nasca people. I think their
culture dominated others, and reflects an extremely complex relationship with
their deities that shows that the search for and aspiration towards a spiritual life
was a central aspect of the Nasca vision. That fascinates me and is the core
reason I stayed in Peru to study the Nasca people.
What would you like to see happen next?
I would like to see the work at Cahuachi finished, though I do not think it will
happen in my lifetime because of the amount of work still to be done. Still,
I would like to see at least that the path to that work is well defined for the
future; that we have a site that is illuminated; that there are cultural activities
that teach visitors about the culture; and that tourists can come and learn
about the Nasca people.