The honor will be awarded on October 16, in Florence, Italy Text: Bárbara Cavalcante | Image: Oscar Liberal/Iphan
Archaeologist Tania Andrade Lima, born in Rio de Janeiro, has been announced as one of the winners of the 2023 Hypatia International Prize. The recognition is due to her contribution to the archaeology, history and cultural heritage of humanity, standing out for her rediscovery of the Molo do Valongo, in 2011. The discovery occurred during excavations in the midst of a municipal concession project, Porto Maravilha, which aimed to revitalize the port region of the capital of Rio de Janeiro.
During the works, thousands of objects belonging to African slaves passing through the port were discovered. The area has been recognized by UNESCO as “the most important physical evidence associated with the historical arrival of enslaved Africans on the American continent”.
The Hypatia Prize is awarded by the Confederation of International Centers for the Conservation of Architectural Heritage (CICOP Net) and aims to honor individuals who make significant contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in their fields.
Little Africa and Molo Valongo
In the early 20th century, legendary samba singer Heitor dos Prazeres claimed that the Praça Onze region in central Rio de Janeiro was like a miniature Africa. Decades later, inspired by the artist, the writer Roberto Moura nicknamed the region, which includes the neighborhoods of Saúde, Gamboa and Santo Cristo, in the port area of the capital of Rio, Little Africa.
The richness of the region is also due to the fact that Little Africa has strong historical links to the slave trade, being the location of the Valongo Wharf and the Cemitério dos Pretos Novos.
The largest landing port for the slave trade in the world, Cais do Valongo is estimated to have received, between 1811 and 1831, approximately a million of about four million slaves transported to Brazil, according to the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan).
In addition to the history linked to the pain of slavery, Little Africa is marked by the cultural resistance of the black population and its power of innovation and resignation.
Source: Terra
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