Niède Guidon, President of the Brazilian Rock Art Association (Associação Brasileira de Arte Rupestre) and Director of the Serra Capivara National Rock Art Park (Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara) in Brasil sent an urgent appeal to save the Fundação Museu do Homem Americano (FUMDHAM) - Foundation Museum of the American Man. Due to a lack of funding, this museum - that takes care of the Park - is in danger of closing.
     For many years the Fundação Museu do Homem Americano (FUMDHAM) helped the study, preservation and management of the Serra da Capivara National Park. FUMDHAM is one of the foremost archaeological institutes in the Americas and the National Park is famous for containing some of the most important archaeological and rock art sites, including Toca do Boqueirão do Sítio da Pedra Furada, Sítio do Meio, Cima dos Pilão, Baixão da Perna and Caiçaras. This is the reason why, in 1991, it was accepted to be part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list.
     The lack of funds was always countered with the dedication of its scientific team and the wonderful spirit of the people of São Raimundo Donato, not least those involved in the Park. We appeal to you to consider the repercussions of the closure of one of Brazil's most respected research institutes internationally and especially, to the protection of the area of the Parque Nacional da Serra da Capivara. To help save FUMDHAM, there is an online petition at the address http://www.PetitionOnline.com/fumdham/petition.html.

Sources: Rock Art Discussion List (13 December 2003), Tracce Online (16 December 2003)