WOMEN AND ARCHAEOLOGY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: HISTORIES, PRACTICES AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES
Latin American archaeologies have undergone significant transformations in recent decades, driven by the incorporation of new theoretical, methodological and epistemological perspectives that have contributed to a critical review of the discipline’s history and its forms of knowledge production. In this context, it is essential to recognize the role played by women in building the archaeologies of Latin America and the Caribbean, both through their scientific contributions and through their teaching practices, heritage management, conservation, university outreach and collaborative work with communities. Although women have had a significant presence in the development of the discipline (in some countries they even constitute the majority of practitioners), many of their trajectories remain scarcely documented or have been relegated from traditional historical narratives. Likewise, inequalities persist regarding access to leadership positions, the distribution of academic tasks, working conditions, gender-based violence, and the difficulties of reconciling research, teaching and caregiving activities. Convened by the Working Group on Women in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology, this symposium proposes to create a space for interdisciplinary exchange to reflect on women’s contributions to Latin American archaeologies from a historical and contemporary perspective. It seeks to bring together research that recovers individual and collective trajectories, analyzes processes of institutionalization of the discipline, examines teaching and professional training experiences, and discusses the transformations driven by gender studies and feminisms in archaeological practice. Papers are welcome addressing, among others, the following themes: histories of pioneering women archaeologists; the history of archaeology teaching in Latin America; teaching experiences and pedagogical innovations; women’s contributions to archaeological research, conservation and heritage management; studies on gender, diversity and social relations in the archaeological record; women’s participation in community projects; institutional equity policies; working conditions; academic networks; scientific leadership; and current challenges for a more inclusive archaeology. The symposium aims to strengthen a regional research agenda on the history of archaeology, gender and professional training, promoting dialogue among researchers from different countries, generations and academic traditions. It also seeks to contribute to the construction of more plural narratives about Latin American archaeologies, recognizing the diversity of experiences and fostering the exchange of proposals aimed at building more equitable, inclusive academic spaces committed to social transformation.
