Officials try to sort out mess in Benque

A team of officials from the Institute of Archaeology is set to start salvaging work at a small Mayan site in Benque Viejo del Carmen that was bulldozed on Tuesday afternoon. But even as work begins, there is still confusion over exactly how property owner Francisco Miranda obtained title to the land that is clearly part of an archaeological reserve. A check with officials of the Institute of Archaeology indicates that while the area was not officially designated a reserve, a survey was carried out in the early 80’s. According to Senior Archaeologist John Morris, a letter was forwarded to the Land’s Department in 1985 demarcating the area for special attention because of the presence of the ancient Mayan structures. As we reported last night, Miranda’s title to the piece of property was issued in December 2002. Officials at Archaeology say the issuing of the lots in the reserve does not make sense as the Lands Department had known for some time of the demarcation. Lands Commissioner Armin Cansino in a phone conversation with News 5, said he was not aware of the case in Benque, but stated that his department would never approve title to a piece of land knowing that archaeological monuments are on it. After a full investigation of the incident, officials of the two departments are expected to sit down to try and determine what course of action will follow. And it appears, at least initially, that while the title may have been issued in error, Miranda will end up facing some heat for causing the mound to be bulldozed, as the law states that a person can be prosecuted for destroying an ancient monument. But a decision to proceed with a full application of the law still awaits final determination after consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions. A small quantity of pottery shards has so far been recovered from the site, which measures fifteen metres by eight metres by four metres high. One option open to the Lands Department now is to cancel the title to the piece of land and offer compensation to Miranda, either monetary or in the form of a different piece of property elsewhere. Miranda has indicated to News 5 that he would be open to negotiations on compensation.