atermills Of Pichilemu, Chile: Survival Of A Peasant Heritage

Abstract

In Central Chile, the watermills of Pichilemu have not exceeded the limits of the functional dimension. Despite his obvious constructive and aesthetic attributes, as well as being objects indispensable for grinding grain in rural communities, are not considered by authorities or experts as part of the heritage that is worthy of protection. The objective consists in place to them mills of water in the map that welcomes them goods heritage Chilean, taking into has of its value vernacular. That first recognition will lead to the preservation and restoration of its most notable exponents. The mills of water-expression tangible of the heritage-conceal a series of mysteries that, to be unraveled, lead to the knowledge deep of the cultures peasant and its singular mode of life. The community still unknown them real merits of these gadgets, even when contribute of form decisive to the configuration of the landscape geographical of the place and, additionally, to the cohesion of the community local. In terms of objects are a contribution to the craft design and a lesson of carpentry logic and sustainability; with the use rational of materials and techniques local to the scope of the hand. Its use, using the natural power of water, enables the development of a subsistence economy which agrees perfectly with the reality of the field. The recognition and the recovery of these gadgets peasants, susceptible of be part of a route tourist heritage, enrich the capital cultural Chilean by what represent, both in its shed material as in the intangible.