The UCLA Cotsen Institute of Archaeology invites you to its 50^th Anniversary Ground Breaking lecture series on February 8, 2024. The lecture, titled When Communities Engage: Empowering Archaeological Practice, will be given by Professor Stephen Acabado in the Founders Room in the James West Alumni Center.

This event is in-person only. Registration is required. Please click here to register.

Archaeology has been perceived as a discipline where experts are the authority of the past, often overshadowing local and indigenous interpretations of history. However, archaeology is undergoing a transformative shift. Many archaeologists now understand that descendant communities are not passive recipients of archaeological insights but active collaborators and custodians of their own histories. This talk with showcase Acabado’s work in the Philippines where community engagement is foundational, not an afterthought. At sites like the Ifugao Rice Terraces and Bicol, methodologies weave in local knowledge, skills, and traditions, offering a layered understanding of the past. Furthermore, community involvement promotes a renewed sense of ownership and pride in local cultural heritage. It is a reciprocal relationship: archaeologists achieve richer interpretations, while communities strengthen their historical narratives. Join us in exploring the intersection of community and archaeology in the Philippines and discover how genuine collaborative research can reshape an entire discipline.