| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| pre-Columbian | The era before the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus |
| Looting | Stealing valuable items, often from historical sites. |
| Artifacts | An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest. |
Local residents and archaeologists are asking for help to protect Los Tlateles. They say the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) is not doing enough to stop the looting. However, legal issues have made it difficult for INAH to intervene. Some local community members have even taken legal actions to prevent INAH from accessing the site, complicating efforts to protect it.
Archaeologist Ricardo Arredondo claims that many pre-Columbian artifacts sold online come from this site. Meanwhile, a social media influencer has shared videos showing unauthorized digging at Los Tlateles, highlighting the ongoing problems.
The situation is further complicated by land sales and settlements that have reduced the site’s size significantly. Although INAH has acknowledged the issue in a legal document, they have not made a public statement addressing the recent accusations of neglect.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Archaeologist | Arqueólogo |
| Community | Comunidad |
| Legal | Legal |
Time to discuss
- Why is it important to protect archaeological sites like Los Tlateles?
- How do legal challenges affect the protection of historical sites?
- What can communities do to help preserve their local history?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- What are the consequences of looting at historical sites?
- How can social media play a role in highlighting issues like those at Los Tlateles?
