Survey in Peru returns

It has been just over a week since we arrived in Peru. We are currently conducting our research with a five-person project planning team and field research team. After arriving in the capital, Lima, we started the trip by paying courtesy calls to JICA, the Embassy, and the Ministry of Culture in Lima. The Vice Minister of Culture was also in attendance, and we could sense the high level of interest in this project.

The next day, we traveled to Cusco, at an altitude of 3,400 meters, and began our full-scale survey. Due to the high altitude and low oxygen concentration, altitude sickness is a common problem, making this a very tough survey. The project development team visited related organizations (more than 10 locations, including Lima) to make presentations and hold discussions, while the field survey team reviewed existing data on the Machu Picchu ruins and conducted interviews to learn about the current status and challenges of archaeological surveys. We're now past the halfway point of this survey, but through our field surveys we were able to grasp many of the current situations and challenges, and future approaches have become clear. JICA Peru also sees potential in the next stage of this project and has begun working on joint project formulation. Despite the extremely tight schedule, constant travel and discussions, and the daunting task of battling altitude sickness, Miura and Hasegawa have been extremely helpful. This is my third visit to Machu Picchu, Miura's second, and Hasegawa's first. I'll send you some photos. Yesterday, everyone moved from Cusco to Lima, and the second half of the survey has begun. Although the remaining time is very tight, I will do my best to form the next project. I am scheduled to arrive at Narita Airport in the evening of the 20th, Japan time.

Hidefumi Endo