Santa Cruz de Tenerife 24 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila (CC), stated on Monday that the relocation of the Guanche mummy to a storage facility of the National Archaeological Museum (MAN) and its failure to be returned to local institutions is an “affront to all Canarians.”
“It is unacceptable that the fate of the Guanche mummy’s human remains is relegated to a warehouse after being withdrawn today, under cultural directive, a symbol of our ancestral heritage like the mummy from Erques ravine, which holds immeasurable historical and cultural significance for our community, a claim we have been making for over 50 years,” she remarked in a statement sent by the Corporation.
In addition, the Vice President and Minister of Tourism, Lope Afonso (PP), asserted that “what Minister Urtasun ought to do,” as repeatedly requested by Cabildo de Tenerife, is to return the Erques mummy to the island.
“Regardless of whether the Minister’s criteria regarding the non-exhibition of human remains in museums stands, and considering that the Erques mummy is the first to be withdrawn from the National Archaeological Museum, it would be prudent for the Ministry itself to respond immediately to the repeated requests from Cabildo de Tenerife to permit the Erques mummy’s return to the island. We could ensure its preservation at the Museum of Nature and Archeology (MUNA), promoting awareness and education among both residents and visitors, thus continuing our efforts towards understanding, analysing, and researching the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the island,” he stated.
Afonso emphasised that the original Erques mummy should reside in Tenerife as a “symbol” of history to be showcased to both residents and tourists.
He has consistently stated that they do not wish to “engage in pointless debates, but rather to present a just claim that the island’s citizens deserve to pursue for all the time it has been absent.”
This mummy, unearthed in 1763, is recognised as the best-preserved specimen of its kind.
Since 1976, the Cabildo de Tenerife has submitted numerous official requests for its repatriation, contending that its rightful place is at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA), an institution renowned for the preservation of the Guanche heritage.
Lope Afonso stressed that “here we can acknowledge the historical and cultural significance that this mummy embodies.”
A Turning Point
He further reiterated that “the return of the Erques mummy could serve as a turning point in that regard, presenting an opportunity to promote and disseminate all that pertains to both our past and present.”
According to Rosa Dávila, “currently, we are confronted with a singular opportunity for national authorities to reassess the restitution of the Guanche mummy to its origin.”
The president also noted that the mummy is an “identity symbol” for Canarians and that its return represents a “matter of justice.”
Lope Afonso additionally pointed out that “the return of the mummy would not only rectify a historical grievance, but also enhance our culture, pride in our Guanche heritage, and respect for ancestral traditions.”
He also praised “the expertise and professionalism at MUNA, equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure the proper conservation and exhibition of the mummy, as evidenced by successful repatriations of other Guanche mummies in the past.”
Both Rosa Dávila and Lope Afonso concurred that it is imperative for the Ministry of Culture and relevant authorities to act swiftly and with sensitivity to facilitate the return of this invaluable heritage to its rightful home.
