Mexico’s Ruta del Rio Grande Heritage Regeneration Project: A Discussion with Dr. Nelly Robles García

Recently, Project Directors Norma Barbacci and Dr. Nelly Robles García sat down virtually for a wide-ranging conversation, touching on key topics such as cultural preservation, community involvement, and sustainable development. Dr. Robles García shared insights from her educational journey and her mission to inspire her community to invest in the preservation of its cultural heritage. The following conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

Norma Barbacci: Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here with Nelly to discuss the extraordinary Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve. Nelly, what makes this area so special to you? What drew you to work here?

Nelly Robles García: Good morning from Oaxaca! We’re excited to begin a new phase of this project, which focuses on conserving cultural and natural heritage. For me, as an archaeologist, the site’s archaeology is what drew me in. Southern Mexico, including Oaxaca, has three well-documented cradles of civilization: the Oaxaca Valley, the Mixteca region, and the valleys of Cuicatlán and Tehuacán. While the other two have been studied extensively, Tehuacán-Cuicatlán remains largely unexplored after limited archeological work to define its age in the 1960s and 70s, which makes it a fascinating area for research.

As an Oaxacan, I’m deeply invested in preserving our heritage. The Ruta del Río Grande Heritage Regeneration Project [in the Cuicatlán canyon or La Cañada] was established to guide our work, focusing on sites along the Grande River, which is a major tributary of the Papaloapan River. This river played a central role in the region’s cultural development and complements the natural heritage already recognized by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas [CONANP]. The region is home to the greatest biodiversity in the Americas, which is vital to understanding both its cultural and natural history. The National Institute of Anthropology and History [INAH] is focusing on preserving these cultural areas, while balancing the needs of the natural environment.

NB: The landscape and cultural heritage are extraordinary, but it’s also a living region with communities deeply connected to it. I’ve known you for over 20 years, and you’ve always focused on involving communities in your projects. What strategies are you using to engage the local communities in this conservation and archaeology work, and how did you develop these strategies?

NRG: In my experience, archaeological sites are never isolated—they always exist within a social context. In Cuicatlán, we see a rich cultural mosaic, with ethnic groups speaking indigenous languages – Cuicatec, Zapotec, and Mixtec. These groups settled here due to the region’s natural wealth, and today they create a vibrant mix of cultures. As archaeologists, we are also anthropologists, which helps us understand the social dimension of our work. I was fortunate to grow up in a rural, indigenous context, which gave me a sensitivity to working with these communities. This helps me engage with them in solving conflicts and addressing daily challenges related to heritage conservation. I’ve built a reputation for working closely with communities, and honestly, I can’t see it any other way.

All cultural sites in Mexico are part of a living culture, even though institutions like INAH are responsible for their protection. My training early in my career helped me understand the need for planning and methodology in addressing the challenges of cultural heritage. Planning and methodology are essential when addressing cultural heritage, and I was fortunate to have mentors who emphasized this. Cultural heritage isn’t just a project—it’s a lifelong commitment. It requires collaboration and the implementation of cultural policies that guide how we protect and preserve it. For us archaeologists and anthropologists, this is a serious responsibility.

NB: Can you share an example of a project where you’ve involved the community, either with the Ruta del Río Grande Project or a previous initiative?

NRG: I’ve worked on many community projects over the years, but one that stands out is my work at the archaeological zone of Mitla in the Oaxaca Valley. I spent many years as the head of that site, and it was a major learning experience. Mitla is a complex place with many different social actors, and it took a lot of effort—blood, sweat, and tears—to find a balance between doing the technical archaeological work and engaging with the community. I had to draw on my life experiences to navigate the different social groups. It’s important to recognize these distinctions—knowing, for example, the difference between an ejidatario [member of a communally owned land] and a landowner. Understanding the dynamics between groups, which often aren’t immediately visible, was one of the greatest lessons I learned from my time in Mitla.

In La Cañada, we’re dealing with a different social composition, one that is both attractive and complex. Our responsibility is to engage in dialogue with these communities and integrate cultural values into their everyday lives. When we arrived, there wasn’t a strong awareness of the archaeological value of the sites. While we value these sites for their historical significance, we’ve learned that the communities may have different priorities. This is where we have to be humble and find common ground. We need to build bridges between the archaeological work and the way people in these communities communicate and live.

Our goal is to share archaeological findings in a way that resonates with people and becomes part of their daily lives. This helps ensure the preservation of cultural heritage, not just while archaeologists are present but long after. Communities will take on this responsibility if they’re well-informed and convinced that their heritage is worth protecting.

NB: Exactly. How do you communicate the impacts of your projects to the communities? Do you feel they see the research as valuable and relevant to their lives? How do you convey that?

NRG: In Cuicatlán, we’ve had to start from scratch. Archaeology and heritage weren’t part of the communities’ daily lives, so our role has been to open that conversation and show them the cultural richness they have. For example, most people in Dominguillo, the nearby town, didn’t know about the Cueva de las Manitas. It was discovered in the 1970s by a local who understood its significance and protected it. With the community’s involvement, we’ve started incorporating the Cueva de las Manitas into their everyday conversations. Our excavations show this site has immense potential to help us understand the origins of civilization, with discoveries like ancient corn remains that suggest the area was central to maize domestication. We take time to explain our findings to the community, even if it’s just seeds or plant remains; and once they understand the importance, they begin to share in our excitement.

NB: How do your projects address broader social objectives in this region, beyond just cultural preservation? And how do you ensure your work benefits various segments of the community, including women and marginalized groups?

NRG: Archaeology today is very different from what was done in the 1930s. Modern archaeologists are often becoming more like social archaeologists, working closely with communities. There are many great examples of this across the country, such as the work of José Huchim Herrera with Yucatán women.

In Monte Albán and Atzompa, we’ve involved women’s groups in archaeological work for years and even won a few awards for these efforts. We’re recognizing women’s contributions in a traditionally male-dominated field. Today, we have a strong group of Zapotec women working on cultural heritage restoration. In La Cañada, we’re continuing this approach, involving women and young people who didn’t finish school, helping them integrate into the workforce and encouraging them to continue their education. We’re also trying to inspire young people in the region to see archaeology as something they can pursue, rather than something outsiders come in to do. When I started, there were only two Oaxacan archaeologists—most were from elsewhere or abroad. Now, many archaeologists here are local, which is a significant and positive shift.

Our work isn’t limited to archaeology—we also incorporate the arts. For example, we have a visual artist who paints the site from his perspective, helping us notice details we might have missed. This connection between art and archaeology is something we try to include in every project, with resident artists helping to bridge the gap between the past and present.

NB: What are the current or potential economic benefits that can result from these activities?

NRG: Since the Tehuacan-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve was established in 1998 then declared a World Heritage Site in 2018, ecotourism has been seen as a way to support the local economy. The area produces a variety of fruits, but there’s been a lack of commercial direction. Ecotourism efforts began in the 1990s, with cabins, community dining areas, trails, and signage for routes like the macaw observation trail.

Now, communities want to incorporate their cultural heritage into ecotourism to improve their economies. However, we need careful planning to avoid over-tourism and protect these fragile sites. For example, sites like in Quiotepec and the Cueva de las Manitas have ecotourism potential, but they need conservation projects first. Our goal is to develop biocultural tourism, combining natural and cultural heritage, rather than just landscape tourism. Visitors will encounter delicate sites, so proper management is essential. We’re working with communities to set clear conservation measures, ensuring they can protect their heritage while benefiting economically.

NB: How has CHiFA contributed to the work being done in the biosphere?

NRG: CHiFA has made a huge difference, especially by securing funding for our work. The Ruta del Río Grande Heritage Project proposal was based on UNESCO’s concept of serial sites, like the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Thanks to CHiFA, we secured funding from sources like American Express and the Mellon Foundation to kickstart the project.

We’re working with seven communities along the Grande River, using the river as a unifying geographical element. We’re focusing on key sites like Quiotepec, Cueva de las Manitas, and the Valerio Trujano sugar plantation. Our goal is to ensure the region builds a reputation for well-managed cultural and natural sites, protected by both the communities and institutions like INAH.

NB: You’ve touched on the role of tourism and World Heritage sites. Can you elaborate on how the area or its management has changed since the World Heritage designation?

NRG: The UNESCO designation as the “originary habitat of Mesoamerica” has made a big difference. Initially, the focus was on the natural aspects, but when UNESCO experts saw the region’s historical and cultural continuity, they supported it as a mixed site. This recognition has encouraged communities to talk more about their cultural heritage, not just the natural landscapes and species.

We’re just getting started, and there’s still a lot to do. Convincing people to help preserve both natural and cultural heritage is a huge challenge, but it’s also been a valuable learning experience. We’re implementing the cultural route concept and bringing in global experts for guidance. This is essential for managing a World Heritage site—not just working with local communities, but also applying the best international practices to ensure long-term preservation.

NB: What role do you see emerging technologies playing in the future of preservation? Are there any technologies you’re excited to use in this project?

NRG: I’m a big fan of new technologies. In Monte Albán, we used modern technology to address earthquake damage. We’ve also begun mapping the site using LiDAR, which helps us see the landscape and identify boundaries that were previously hidden by dense vegetation. LiDAR is one of the best tools in archaeology because it allows us to study sites without physically walking the entire area.

We’re also using 3D modeling to preserve archaeological objects and sites. This allows us to study them closely while keeping the originals safe. In interpretive centers, we can display 3D replicas to protect the originals from damage. This has been done successfully in places like the Altamira Cave, where a full 3D replica was created to protect the site from mass tourism.

NB: What key moments from your career as an archaeologist would you like to highlight? How has the field, and your life, changed because of your career choice?

NRG: That’s an easy one! I started out studying medicine at the National University, but archaeology came into my life, and I made the switch. It was an easy decision, and I’ve never regretted it. I always say the world lost a bad doctor and gained a good archaeologist. I’ve found my passion in archaeology, and I’m very happy with the career I chose.

Another key moment was my decision to specialize in cultural heritage conservation. It’s been a personal journey to balance traditional archaeology with the social work of preserving heritage in communities. It’s not just about excavation—it’s about planning and protecting heritage in a way that benefits both the sites and the people who live around them.

Thankfully, more archaeologists are now focusing on conservation, and we’re no longer working in isolation. We’re building networks with colleagues who share this commitment, and we’re advocating for conservation to be included in archaeology programs.

Watch the original recording on YouTube with an introduction by CHiFA President, Bonnie Burnham, in English followed by the conversation translated above presented in Spanish.