New resolution establishes protection rules for geoglyphs in Acre

The main change is that entrepreneurs must present, during the environmental licensing process, a statement from Iphan about the existence of archaeological assets or cultural interest in the area that will be impacted by the project.

Geoglyphs are geometric structures excavated in the earth, in different formats that can be dated up to three thousand years ago. Acre is a pioneer and reference when it comes to geoglyphs. In March 2024, the first geoglyph listed in the state had recognition approved by the Ministry of Culture. In total, Acre has registered more than a thousand geoglyphs, being the state with the largest number.

The resolution also determines that, if archaeological remains that have not yet been registered are identified, Iphan, the Elias Mansour Culture Foundation (FEM) and the developer must be notified to adopt the necessary protection and monitoring measures.

It is also prohibited to use archaeological excavations as drinking fountains or bathtubs for animals, in addition to the movement of herds over these areas during pasture changes.

The standard advises that livestock farming be avoided in areas with archaeological sites, but allows its permanence as long as the conditions set out in the resolution are observed.

Entrepreneurs must contract specialized archaeological studies whenever required during environmental licensing. The rule also applies to activities carried out by beneficiaries of agrarian reform projects.

With the discovery of damage caused to archaeological sites in Acre, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) reached an agreement with Iphan to repair the damage that ended up altering the original structures of the monuments in March of that year.

According to the measure, the interventions took place in the Missões and Nakahara 73 geoglyphs, in Senador Guiomard, in the interior of Acre, where the land owners prepared the soil to start a soybean plantation on the site.

At the time, Imac and Sema informed g1 that they would comply with the court decision. The decision was issued after the MPF highlighted the risk of irreversible damage to historical heritage, such as areas of geoglyphs and indigenous lands (TI).