Nide Guin, a Brazilian archaeologist known for challenging long-held theories about early human life in the Americas, significantly influenced the transformation of the Hard Scrabble region in northeastern Brazil into Serra da Capybara National Park. She passed away on Wednesday at her home near the park in Saint-Rymande Nohto, at the age of 92.
According to park director Marian Rodriguez, the cause of death was a heart attack.
Dr. Guidon gained international recognition for her controversial assertion that humans may have arrived in the Americas over 30,000 years ago. However, there was little dispute about her accomplishments in documenting and preserving ancient rock paintings in Piau’s semi-arid, cactus-laden landscape.
In 1979, following her claims, the Brazilian government designated the area as a national park, and by 1991, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, largely thanks to her efforts. She also played a crucial role in establishing two nearby museums: the American Museum opened in 1996, and the Natural Museum in 2018. Moreover, she was instrumental in attracting investment to the town, leading to the creation of a new airport and a federal university campus, thereby enhancing public education in the region.
Antoine Lourdes, a French archaeologist who collaborated with Dr. Guidon from 2006 for nearly a decade, remarked in an interview, “The most effective way to safeguard the paintings was to empower people to protect their environment.” He emphasized that many archaeologists are often unaware of the social implications of their work.
Dr. Guidon was particularly adept at training and employing women in regions where domestic violence and gender inequality prevailed. Dr. Guidon’s 2023 biography captures many poignant testimonies from women who achieved financial independence and improved their situations significantly.
In addition to her work in parks and museums, many locals have become guides and custodians. Local products like honey and ceramics are sold across the nation, thanks to an initiative Dr. Guidon launched in the 1990s.
Nide Guidon was born on March 12, 1933, in Hau, a small city in São Paulo. While “Nade” is a common Brazilian name, “Nide” is not. She was named after the River Need, which flows through France and Germany, reflecting her father’s French heritage.
After obtaining a degree in natural history from the University of São Paulo in 1958, Guidon began her career as a teacher in a small Roman Catholic community in Itápolis. However, following her exposure of corruption within the school system in early 1959, she faced backlash from the town’s administrators.
As a single woman who drove cars, publicly taught evolution, and challenged conservative norms, she became a target in the traditional town of Itápolis. Following intense protests, she and two colleagues were forced to flee with police protection.
“All that was missing to complete the medieval scene was a bonfire to burn witches,” she recounted to reporters at that time. A 2024 podcast delves into her life.
Later that year, she secured a position at the Paulista Museum in São Paulo, where her interest in archaeology blossomed, particularly during an exhibition showcasing rock paintings from northeastern Brazil.
However, her initial attempts to see the paintings in 1963 were thwarted by a bridge collapse that blocked access. Following a brief exile in Paris, she was arrested by the military dictatorship that had taken power in Brazil.
While studying archaeology in France, she earned her PhD from the University of Paris in 1975, returning to Brazil frequently for fieldwork. By 1970, Dr. Guidon finally visited the rock paintings in Piau, intrigued by their complexity, and began organizing teams for extensive cataloging of hundreds of archaeological sites.
She settled in San Raimundo Nonato in 1986, where she became known affectionately as “the doctor.”
In the 1990s, excavations near the painting sites uncovered carbon-dated materials suggesting human presence 30,000 years ago — a finding that astonished Dr. Guidon. Yet, other scientists, particularly those adhering to the Clovis model, were highly skeptical, proposing that humans arrived in the Americas much later, around 13,000 years ago.
While the consensus today acknowledges ancient human settlement in North America, Dr. Guidon’s findings continue to spark debate, as questions linger regarding the origins of the materials uncovered near the painted area.
Nevertheless, her work has drawn attention, funding, and resources to Piau, with even some of her academic critics recognizing her contributions.
Andre Strauss, an archaeologist at the University of São Paulo, expressed his doubts about some of Dr. Guidon’s findings but acknowledged her charisma. He likened her to Churchill, noting her ability to engage people dramatically. Despite the scholarly debates, she never abandoned the vibrant life she carved out in Paris.
On the morning of June 5th, she was laid to rest in the garden of her home in San Raimundo Nonato.
Source: www.nytimes.com
