Dr. Sonia Alconini (Professor of Anthropology at UVA) will present a lecture on “Rethinking Andean and Amazonian Relations: The Taypi Yungas as Spaces of Encounter, Ethnogenesis and Sociopolitical Transformations.” Co-sponsored by the UR Department of Classical Studies and the Richmond Society of the Archaeological Institute of America, the free lecture will be free and open to all, held in Jepson Hall 118 on the UR campus
Lecture abstract: Twenty-first century climate change threatens all kinds of cultural heritage—archaeological sites, historic monuments and buildings, traditional subsistence or cultural practices, among many others. This is especially urgent in coastal areas where the triple threat of rising sea level, more powerful coastal storms, and growing coastal populations create a monumental challenge. At the same time, though, people are placing a greater value on cultural heritage and gaining a better understanding of how precarious these resources are. In this talk, I will discuss global efforts to, first, understand the scale of the problem and, second, decide how to address it. Archaeologists cannot overcome this challenge alone, nor is it possible to save everything. We must develop strong community partnerships and think creatively about what is truly valuable in cultural heritage. I will specifically discuss my research in coastal California and the importance of partnering with indigenous communities to decide what matters most in cultural heritage.