UN OBISPO Y UN PRIOR DE IBARRA SOBRESALEN EN LA SEGUNDA MISIÓN GEODÉSICA, INCENTIVANDO LA VOCACIÓN ANTROPOLÓGICA DE PAUL RIVET

Abstract

Between 1901 and 1907, that is, one hundred and twenty years ago, Ecuador had the privilege of receiving the Second Geo- detic Mission made up of a select team of French military geogra- phers, for the geodetic study of the arc of the equatorial meridian. It was organized by the French Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the government of Eloy Alfaro. Commanding the mission was Commander Bourgeois; as geographers, surveyors and other spe- cialties: Colonels Perrier and Llallemand, Dr. Paul Rivet, as a doctor, specialized in Military Health; Lieutenant Colonels Noirel, De Fon- longue and Durand and Non-commissioned officers Damerval, Lecomte, Duffrenne, Gressier, Domart, Lavis, Thil, Brasselet, An- quetin, Presse, Soubriard and Soullot.

As in the first geodetic mission, also in this second one, Ecuador participated with individuals of high scientific level, who for their human part and knowledge constituted fundamental pillars of this mission, especially instructors of the young French doctor Paul Rivet. These are the Ecuadorian academic priests, honored by the province of Imbabura, Monsignor Federico González Suárez, then Bishop of Ibarra, and the Dominican prior Enrique Vacas Galindo, from Cotacache. The first was known for historical-archae- ological-anthropological investigations and their respective publica- tions. The Dominican prior, Fray Enrique María Vacas Galindo contributed a lot to Paul Rivet, especially for his knowledge and ex- periences of the Amazon Region and his specialization in the Shuar ethnic group.