Living Ruins: Native Engagements with Past Materialities in Contemporary Mesoamerica, Amazonia, and the Andes

Living Ruins explores how Indigenous people relate to the material remains of human activity, challenging institutionalized patrimonialization discourse. Ten case studies from the Maya region, Amazonia, and the Andes provide critical analyses and Indigenous perspectives on historicity, knowledge, cultural landscapes, personhood, ancestrality, artifacts, and materiality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

Living Ruins delves into the profound connections between Indigenous communities and the material remnants of human activity, transcending the realm of mere relics inherited from past generations. Through a series of captivating case studies spanning the Maya region, Amazonia, and the Andes, the book offers a nuanced and critical perspective that challenges the institutionalized discourse of patrimonialization surrounding vestiges of the past in contemporary landscapes.

In this comprehensive exploration, ten in-depth case studies provide a rich tapestry of narratives, rituals, and practices related to diverse forms of vestiges. These chapters engage with pressing issues such as regimes of historicity and knowledge, cultural landscapes, conceptions of personhood and ancestrality, artifacts, and materiality. Rather than relying on mainstream narratives mediated by entities like UNESCO, Hollywood, travel agents, or even academics, Living Ruins prioritizes Indigenous perspectives, offering a fresh and insightful lens through which to understand the past and its significance in the present.

The contributions in Living Ruins offer critical analyses alongside a multi-faceted account of how people engage with the interconnectedness of place and time. By expanding our understanding of different ontological conceptualizations of the past and their profound relevance in the present, the book contributes to the growing body of work on the invention of tradition, Indigenous claims on their lands and history, "retrospective ethnogenesis," and neo-Indianism in a world where tourism, NGOs, and Western essentialism are shaping Indigenous attitudes and representations.

For those interested in cultural heritage studies, Amerindian spirituality, and Indigenous engagements with archaeological sites in Latin America, Living Ruins holds immense significance. The book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex interplay between heritage, identity, and contemporary realities.

The contributors to Living Ruins are a diverse group of experts and scholars who bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table. Cedric Becquey, Laurence Charlier Zeineddine, Marie Chosson, Pablo Cruz, Philippe Erikson, Antoinette Molinié, Fernando Santos-Granero, Emilie Stoll, Valentina Vapnarsky, and Pirjo Kristi are among the notable scholars who have contributed their insights and research to this groundbreaking work.

In conclusion, Living Ruins is a groundbreaking exploration that sheds light on the vibrant and dynamic relationships between Indigenous communities and the material remnants of human activity. Through its nuanced and critical lens, the book challenges institutionalized narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the significance of the past in contemporary landscapes. By prioritizing Indigenous perspectives and offering critical analyses alongside a multi-faceted account of human-place interactions, Living Ruins contributes to the growing body of work on heritage, identity, and the complexities of contemporary societies. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural heritage studies, Amerindian spirituality, and Indigenous engagements with archaeological sites in Latin America.

Weight: 500g
ISBN-13: 9781646422852