Towards a Sustainable Archaeology Praxis: Lesson from St. Croix, USVI
The relationship between archaeologists and stakeholder communities has become a topic of introspection for researchers within the field. Throughout the years, communities have become increasingly involved in the various phases of research design, interpretation, and knowledge dissemination. Building upon these discussions, archaeologists and heritage professionals in St. Croix, USVI are expanding the practice of community-engaged archaeology to encompass the realms of capacity building and sustainable development. This talk discusses recent collaborative efforts to increase community engagement at the Estate Little Princess Field School through training that combines both terrestrial and maritime archaeology with nature conservation. We hope to create a model of archaeological praxis that mitigates the potentially destructive aspects of invasive excavation, while also training a new generation of heritage stewards.
Dr. Justin Dunnavant is a UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Santa Cruz. His dissertation research explored the intersection of archaeology, identity, and the politics of representation among the Wolaita of southern Ethiopia. His current research in St. Croix, USVI investigates the ecology of enslavement in the former Danish West Indies. He has conducted archaeological excavations in Belize, Jamaica, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and The Gambia. In addition to his archaeological research, Justin is a founding member of the Society of Black Archaeologists.
Air Date:
Wednesday, October 4th, 2017