National Archeological Park of Tierradentro

Capacity building for the documentation and conservation of Latin American cultural heritage: making technology accessible and sustainable

Interdisciplinary collaboration can effectively integrate advanced digital techniques into the sustainable documentation and conservation of Latin American cultural heritage sites. A capacity-building program, involving universities from Colombia and Canada along with a government institution, demonstrated that training emerging professionals in 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and other sophisticated digital recording methods enhances the accuracy, reliability, and long-term sustainability of heritage documentation. This approach was applied to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—National Archeological Park of Tierradentro and San Agustín Archaeological Park—to address threats to their mural paintings and carved rock phases. The study provides a framework for implementing such strategies in low-income economies, emphasizing the importance of technology adoption and capacity building in optimizing conservation efforts.