Like Frejoles in a Pod: Examining the Current State of Paleoethnobotany in Peru

In the last decade or so, the field of paleoethnobotany has witnessed a rapid rise in the number of Peruvian and foreign researchers conducting archaeobotanical inquiry in the country of Peru. The primary goal of this symposium is to open lines of communication among these scholars, many of them recently trained, and solidify the network of researchers actively involved in the study of macro- and microbotanical remains in the region. Through this symposium, we also aim to raise awareness about the need for sharing information such as project-specific methodologies and the rationales behind them, seed/phytolith/starch grain databases, and analytical protocols. The specific goals for this symposium include (1) disseminating the results of recent archaeobotanical analyses, (2) pushing theoretically engaged and question-driven research, (3) critically examining methodological issues specific to Andean archaeobotany, and (4) discussing joint efforts in developing databases and guides for Andean macro- and microremains. By taking these steps towards developing an active and collegial network of researchers interested in the complex entanglements between peoples and plants, we hope to advance the field of paleoethnobotany in Peru.