51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

Speaker: Gabriela Oré-Menéndez, Ph.D.

This talk is part of the Department of Anthropology's weekly speaker series.

Abstract

Archaeological practice has historically operated within Western, capitalist, and patriarchal frameworks that have systematically marginalized diverse narratives and modes of existence. This presentation explores how digital technologies, inclusive methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches can subvert traditional archaeological paradigms to create more accessible and equitable pathways for research, interpretation, and knowledge production. Drawing on queer theory, disability studies, and neurodivergent perspectives, we examine how emerging technologies—from multispectral UAV imagery to Geographic Information Systems—can disrupt the traditional field/laboratory binary and democratize access to historical knowledge. Through case studies including the automatic identification of stone structures in Huarochirí (Peru) and the collaborative ethnography of ceramic production in Santo Domingo de los Olleros, we demonstrate how technological innovation combined with community engagement can recover multidimensional narratives that enrich our understanding of the past. By embracing slowness as methodology, digital tools as equalizers, immersive approaches to interpretation, and accessibility as core principle, this work aims to transform every aspect of archaeological practice—from research questions to field methods to knowledge dissemination—while meaningfully engaging communities in reclaiming and interpreting their multifaceted histories.