Stanislaw Ulam Lecture Series: Seeing the Future in Our Past: Why Archaeology Matters
Most people think archaeology is fascinating but irrelevant to the problems of the modern world. Jerry Sabloff begs to differ. Where archaeologists once concerned themselves with palaces, temples, and princely lifestyles, they now want to know how the common people lived. Through the lens of the ancient Maya, he shows how lessons today's archaeologists are learning about the past offer insights that could shape present and future human societies.
Lecture 1, Tuesday, September 9, 7:30 p.m., James A. Little Theater (1060 Cerrillos Road): “How Insights from Archaeology Might Help Shape Our Future”
Lecture 2, Wednesday, September 10, 7:30 p.m., James A. Little Theater (1060 Cerrillos Road): “Maya Archaeology and Its Relevance to the Modern World”
Lecture 1: Despite its popularity, archaeology’s public perception is not as accurate as it could be. Archaeologists do not have their collective heads immersed in the past, as is often supposed, but are very much concerned with both the present and future, too. SFI President Jerry Sabloff explores how, even in the face of overwhelming data recovery and interpretive hurdles, archaeologists have developed a host of approaches that can provide new perspectives on modern problems and concerns.
Lecture 2: While the great architectural, artistic, and intellectual achievements of Pre-Columbian Maya peoples continue to bedazzle us for their richness, an understanding of the arc of ancient Maya civilization has relevance to problems facing the world today. SFI President Jerry Sabloff focuses on lessons about sustainability and societal resilience gleaned from new evidence relating to the decline of many major cities in the southern Maya Lowlands in the ninth century CE. He also explores heritage education and tourism in today’s Maya world, among other topics.
Jeremy Sabloff, President, Santa Fe Institute
Watch it on our live webcast on SFI's YouTube Page
To Follow the live Twitter feed visit: @sfi_live or follow the Hashtag #sfi_live
SFI’s 2014 Community Lecture series is generously sponsored by Thornburg Investment Management