Archaeology, Community Development, and Tourism

Three Decades of Collaborative Research

Cobá, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Ellen R. Kintz

SUNY Geneseo

Society for Applied Anthropology

Memphis, TN

March 2008

Observatorio Pyramid, Cobá

Abstract

Outline…

The Archaeological Phase (1970s)

The Community Study Phase (1980s)

The Community Development Phase (1990s)

Community and Tourism Phase (2000 - the present)

New Initiatives (the future)

The Archaeological

Phase

(1970s)

The First Year

Participant Observation

Professional Objectivity

Work and Play

Maya Kitchen Garden

Cobá, Q.R.

The Community Study Phase

(1980s)

Treating Illnesses

Ethnoarchaeology

Intercambio

The Question of Clothing

The Community Development Phase

(1990s)

Women’s Work

Kitchen Gardening

Arboriculture

Blankets for the Elderly and Children

Chicken Feed

Traditional Community Development

Community and Tourism Phase(2000-present)

Housing

New Initiatives

Artists

Vincente Chimal

Eduardo Ken

The New Maya Cultural CenterPhotographic Exhibit

The New Maya Cultural

Center

Local Fund Raising

END