The Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura hosted a ceremony recognizing the career of Dolores Sánchez Velázquez, a significant figure in the island's archaeology, particularly for her studies on the Cueva de Villaverde. The MAF has formally received her archive, which will be preserved by the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
The event included the signing of the reception act for the documentation donated by Dolores Sánchez Velázquez. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Rayco León, and Antigua Sánchez, representing the family. Rayco León emphasized the importance of this acquisition for preserving Sánchez Velázquez's memory and ensuring that the knowledge generated over decades can continue to be consulted and studied.
Carmen Lola Sánchez, speaking for the family, stated that this recognition is "very deserved and beautiful" for the years Dolores Sánchez dedicated to Fuerteventura's history and archaeology, and for the "affection and enthusiasm" with which she worked at the Cueva de Villaverde, protecting and valuing their findings.
The documentary collection covers excavation campaigns at the Cueva de Villaverde between 1979 and 1988. It includes site plans, excavation diaries, reports, archaeological work results, and studies of materials found at the site. Also included is a report on the excavations, the work 'Fuerteventura: state of the art with special reference to the Cueva de Villaverde,' and a project for an exhibition at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology of Santa Cruz de Tenerife that was never realized.
The graphic documentation is extensive, comprising 613 photographs (black and white and color), 125 slides, and several film reels of negatives. This material is supplemented by 108 original drawings from 1987 and 1988, related to pottery, lithic industry, bone industry, and shells.
A round table discussion delved into Dolores Sánchez's career. Participants included Isidoro Hernández Sánchez (director of the MAF), Teresa Gómez Espinosa (art historian and archaeologist), Ángel Sánchez Hortelano and Rosa López Guerrero (archaeologists), and Antigua Sánchez Velázquez (family representative). Teresa Gómez Espinosa highlighted Dolores Sánchez as "the first majorera archaeologist and a pioneering woman in this field," marking a milestone in Fuerteventura's archaeological research.
The event also served to advocate for the value of preserving and making available to future generations the documentation generated over decades of archaeological research in Fuerteventura, especially concerning key sites like the Cueva de Villaverde, crucial for understanding the island's pre-Hispanic past. The incorporation of this archive into the General Insular Archive ensures its conservation and facilitates access as part of Fuerteventura's documentary and scientific heritage.
