Hola, etc. from Guatemala. After a rousing, waterless night, Keycli, Jaime, and Pepe the Ghost are writing from the comfort of a hotel room. Moms, don't worry, we've got Tamiflu.
After packing and finishing some last minute semester business, we head to El Zotz. This year we welcome many more researchers for what promises to be a productive season.
The final paper I finished this semester reminded me about something that probably comes up in other folks' work quite often. Why do we love typologies? The use of not-so-primitive classification in archaeology and architecture has led me to see some of the deep problems in previous research on so-called "E-Groups." By overgeneralizing, previous work has lumped a lot of very different places into the "E-Group" category without full taking into account local architectonic and ritual practices. So as I head off to the field, I'm trying to keep an open mind and think about the local aspects of the group that looks "E"-like at El Palmar, and how the archaeological data speaks for itself rather than confirms a preconceived categorical notion.
Adios to all, and until we meet again post-radio blackout.
JotJ
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4 comments:
I miss you both already! Good luck in the jungle and can't wait to hear stories!
I feel like we should be liveblogging our hotel experience--por ejemplo, James just called reception to ask how much the cookies in the minibar cost. Also, no one in this room is wearing pants.
I hope you people put on some pants before you trek to the jungle. You don't want snake bites and poison ivy on your exposed bits.
We look forward to reports when you are back "on the grid" in a couple of months. And we collectively promise to do much blogging in your absence...RIGHT, SOHINI?
Me??? (blink, blink, blink)
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