The Jácanas Archaeological Collection: Laying Down the Facts

Summary

While researching an archaeological collection, it is important to trace its history in terms of its origins, what makes up the collection, where it is located, and who is responsible for it. Jácanas, a pre-Columbian site in Ponce, Puerto Ric,o was excavated during the first decade of the 21st century. The fieldwork was carried out by a non-local cultural resources management company under contract with the United States Corps of Engineers (USCE). Among the many concerns expressed by local archaeologists was the fact that the collection was taken to the United States for analysis. In 2013, the Jacanas collection was transferred to the Museo de Arte, Historia y Antropología, of the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus. This paper will outline the history of the Jácanas collection using the records and documentation provided by the USCE to the Museum, and concentrate on the transfer process. What archaeological materials were transferred? What type of fieldwork and laboratory documentation exists? How was the collection catalogued? This investigation wants to provide the general public with an understanding of what materials are available for future research projects.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Inter- and Multidisciplinary Approaches to Archaeological Research in the Caribbean

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17380