Tranquilidad is a Prehispanic Moated Settlement. In 1995 and 1996 surveys (Erickson et.al) located and mapped 14 separate moated occupation complexes/sites on forested islands near Baures and Bella Vista. The Itenez region holds over 30 such forest islands. The enclosed areas of sites are estimated to range from 1 ha to 5 ha and up to 3 village sites occur on a single forest islands. The moats are impressive earthworks of up to 4 meters deep and 10 meters wide, sometimes with steep sidewalls, and have diameters of between 150 and 350 meters.

The village had excess to water and fish al year round and large forests and swamps for hunting. Pottery sherds and tools were recovered from disturbed areas where we started our buildings. The moat features and shape indicate that they are defensive or to restrict access to the settlements (also supported by the ethnohistorical documents). Similar moated village sites have been reported for Brazil (Heckenberger 1996).

In any respect the extensive and impressive work of the Baures population and the influence of the Jesuits made it possible that even today people can live part of the year from what was built over 300 years ago. I believe that this historical places and the sustainable wild harvest system of the Itenez region or even the entire Beni should be recognized by the IUCN World Heritage program. This will be part of our efforts with the Theobroma Foundation project.