Incorporation of Native Communities in Archaeological Projects, Bolivia

This presentation deals with the development of cooperative relationships with Aymara-speaking communities in the northern Lake Titicaca Basin of Bolivia, describing some of our experiences as foreign archaeologists, and the long-term benefits that have resulted for both the communities and our interdisciplinary projects. For example, the establishment of multi-functional site museums, a bilingual adult education program, and other projects in rural areas. In addition, I will show how our efforts to train local workers in the archaeological methods of field and laboratory, and integrating them in our projects have created a positive atmosphere of close friendship, trust, and support in our studies and dating of ancient stone-faced terraces built on a monumental scale, and documenting for the first time maize cultivation at high altitudes.