Workshop - Shared Pasts: Collaborative Archaeology in Mesoamerica and the Andes

This workshop equips participants with the tools and perspectives needed for public engagement in interpreting and preserving Mesoamerican and Andean archaeological heritage. Participants will engage in interactive activities to explore the ethics and inclusivity of storytelling and outreach. A forum discussion is planned to present diverse perspectives from the multiple publics involved in archaeological research, with Dr. Luis Muro, assistant curator of South American Anthropology at the Field Museum, participating and drawing on his experience working at sites in Peru. Public archaeology has transformed the relationship among archaeologists, communities, and heritage in Mesoamerica and South America. Public archaeology should be considered when designing research that requires a participatory component involving diverse publics. By the end of the workshop, students will be able to: understand the principles of public archaeology, compare experiences from Mesoamerica and South America, analyze real-world heritage conflicts, design participatory strategies, and communicate archaeological findings to diverse audiences. Below is the tentative schedule for the workshop: 12:00 to 12:30 PM - Lunch 12:30 to 2:00 PM - Forum 2:00 to 2:30 PM - Break 2:30 to 4:00 PM - Hands-on activity 4:00 to 5:00 PM - Reception  Bárbara Arroyo is a research associate at the Museo Popol Vuh of Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala. For the last fifteen years, she has led the Kaminaljuyu Archaeological Project, overseeing fieldwork, training programs, and initiatives to protect its delicate earthen architecture. She obtained her B.A. in Archaeology from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University. Kaminaljuyu is located in the heart of Guatemala City, offering many challenges related to the practice of archaeology at the site. This provided an opportunity to establish a public archaeology program that involves ajq'ijab' or contemporary Maya spiritual leaders, public school children from the immediate neighborhood, tour guides, and other relevant actorsDr. Luis Muro Ynoñán is a Peruvian anthropological archaeologist who has worked in northern Peru for over 15 years, specializing in the archaeology and heritage of the Moche. He is currently Assistant Curator of South American Anthropology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and a Lecturer at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima. He holds a Master´s and PhD from Stanford University.