Underwater and Coastal Archaeology in Latin America

This volume features a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to underwater and coastal archaeology in Latin America, showcasing a long tradition of practices and beliefs related to the exploitation and management of aquatic environments. Chapters on the pre-Hispanic period include evidence about the exploitation of maritime resources, ritual practices related to water, ancestral navigation, and inundated cultural landscapes. Historical case studies are also explored, including shipwrecks, harbors, and maritime coastal landscapes in the Caribbean, on the Atlantic coast, or in Patagonia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 420 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: University Press of Florida

This comprehensive volume explores the intricate relationship between humans and water environments across Latin America through a diverse array of case studies. Comprising contributions from 82 esteemed researchers spanning the region, the case studies presented herein shed light on a longstanding tradition of practices and beliefs related to the exploitation and management of aquatic environments. Spanning a vast chronological vision, this book recognizes the profound and rich precolonial heritage of these waters.

In the chapters dedicated to the pre-Hispanic period, the book delves into an analysis of evidence concerning the utilization of maritime resources, ritual practices intertwined with water, ancestral navigation techniques, and the inundated cultural landscapes that characterized various regions, including Mesoamerica, the Central American isthmus, and the Andes. Historical case studies are also explored, encompassing shipwrecks, harbors, and maritime coastal landscapes in the Caribbean, along the Atlantic coast, or in Patagonia. The countries represented in this volume include Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

The material landscapes of oceans, lakes, and rivers examined within this volume play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the dynamic interplay between humans and their environments throughout history. By integrating the study of behaviors associated with waterscapes into interpretations of past and present cultures, this volume offers novel perspectives on Latin America, broadening our horizons and fostering a deeper appreciation of its rich cultural heritage.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813069821