Arqueoturismo no estado do Amazonas – da teoria à prática: o caso da gruta do batismo

Abstract

In contrast to Europe, where there is a consolidated tradition of archaeotourism, this practice is under construction in Brazil. The archaeological potential of the Amazon is great. Sites and archaeological material have been identified from early expeditions of naturalists up through the present. However, research is incipient on the use of Brazilian archeological heritage as a tourist attraction that, through coordinated actions, can contribute to the preservation of this cultural asset. This article focuses on the archaeological site Gruta do Batismo where a cultural tourism project was planned but never implemented and which suffers from constant degradation. We document the evident lack of communication between the parties - the federal, state, and local governments and the private sector - responsible for the protection of this archaeological heritage.