Bridging the Gulf: Reconnecting Belizeans to Their Pre-Colonial Heritage through Enhanced Archaeological Education

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Belize is rich in cultural diversity and history but has long faced a disconnect between its citizens’ knowledge and the profound legacy of its precolonial past. Belize's ancient Maya remains attracts archaeologists from around the world. Despite this extraordinary heritage, some Belizeans are disconnected from this past, leading to a diminished sense of cultural identity and historical consciousness. This presentation investigates the causes of this detachment, revealing a multiplicity of factors, including colonial legacies, socioeconomic disparities, and a limited number of accessible educational resources within schools and communities. The existing curriculum often focuses on recent history, resulting in a generation less familiar with their nation's rich pre-colonial heritage. The consequences of this disconnect are multiple, encompassing the erosion of cultural identity, missed economic opportunities in heritage tourism, and the marginalization of indigenous communities. We outline an archaeological education and public engagement plan to help overcome some of these issues and facilitate Belizeans in reclaiming their heritage and participating in safeguarding through education. The case of Belize underscores the global importance of preserving indigenous heritage and fostering a sense of connection with the past, which, in turn, can contribute to a more cohesive and culturally enriched society.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38824.0