Join us for a lunchtime seminar presented by archaeologist Enerike Ngaara Te Manu Carrasco Hotu.

Presented in-person and online. Zoom details below.

Few places in the world have been as influenced by archaeology as Rapa Nui (Easter Island). So much so that just as the tree does not allow us to see the forest, the moai does not allow us to see the people. The constant focus on the mysterious Rongorongo script and megalithic monuments in conditions of extreme isolation have not allowed us to delve into other more everyday aspects of the life of the ancient Rapa Nui.

In this presentation, the relevance of an indigenous approach to archaeological research on Rapa Nui, the easternmost island of Polynesia, will be presented. Through an analysis of different experiences such as work in museums, community, academic, cultural and repatriation experiences, we seek to analyze how two different worlds, modern science and traditional Rapa Nui knowledge, can work hand in hand in pursuit of a better understanding of the past.

The importance of active community participation in all stages of archaeological work in indigenous territories is fundamental not only to show respect to the ancient inhabitants of those spaces, but also because it is the only way to delve into the deeper aspects of the culture. Ancestral wisdom must accompany scientific work, from the formulation of a problem to the interpretation and uses to which that knowledge is put.

Speaker bio:
Enerike Ngaara Te Manu Carrasco Hotu is an archaeologist from Rapa Nui. He was born and raised in Rapanui. Learning since he was a child the local traditions of music, dances, oral tradition, toponymy, carving, agriculture, fishing and our values, he decided to study archaeology because it was from the work with material culture that he wanted to be a contribution to is homeland and culture. Especially considering the great abundance of archaeology in Rapanui. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://anu.zoom.us/j/89962815895?pwd=JX1VcQgR92mYaPLI4s5yrJtq9Ixhas.1
Meeting ID: 899 6281 5895
Password: 247678