Ministry of Culture reaffirms stance on archaeological findings

Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Dominican Republic’s archaeological heritage following the discovery of human remains in Samaná, which are estimated to date back to 5,500 BCE, making them potentially the oldest in the Greater Antilles. The Ministry emphasized that all archaeological research must comply with Law No. 41-00, which entrusts the institution with safeguarding the nation’s cultural assets.

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Carlos Andújar, General Director of Museums, highlighted that any archaeological activities in the country require prior authorization from the Ministry to ensure proper supervision and adherence to established protocols. All findings must be submitted to the Ministry, as the Dominican State legally owns all artifacts uncovered during such investigations.

To further regulate archaeological practices, the Ministry has drafted a decree to define specific guidelines and procedures for managing these investigations. This proposal has been submitted to the Executive Branch and is currently under review by its Legal Advisory Office.