Representation Matters: The Importance of Local Participation in Archaeological Projects in Belize

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Belize has and continues to be an important locus for the training of the next generation of archaeologists, hosting several international field schools annually. While Belizeans play a role in these projects, many simply fulfill the role of hired field/lab assistants. In recent years, Belizean students from Galen University (Belize) have taken an active role in working on projects to receive undergraduate field credits. The involvement of Belizeans at this level helps to increase the representation of Belizeans in the field of archaeology in Belize, contributing to undoing the prevalent stigma that archaeology in Belize is one of foreign pursuits. This paper examines the representation of Belizean students in the Belize Valley Archaeological Reconnaissance project to discuss how participation in a project changes their perceptions of cultural heritage and identity. In doing so, this paper will also highlight the successes and shortcomings of Belizean participation and representation in archaeological research in Belize.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 35921.0