Welcome to Memos from the Museum World, a series that highlights the wonderful work our Tufts students are doing as they complete the in-field practicum component of the Museum Studies Program. Each student has a unique practicum experience, and we are excited to share the impacts they are making on the field in their own words. Check back throughout the year for more practicum updates from Tufts students!
Ava Beisenstein: Archaeological Trench Supervisor and Interpretation Consultant, Proyecto Arqueológico de Lugar, Plantas, y Animales de los Collaguas Antiguos (ALPACA)
What have you been up to as a part of your practicum?
For the past 8 weeks I’ve been living and working in Achoma, Peru, a small town in the Colca Valley, with Proyecto ALPACA. Proyecto Arqueológico de Lugar, Plantas, y Animales de los Collaguas Antiguos (ALPACA) is a multi-year archaeological research project sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Archaeological Institute of America, Binghamton University, Cornell University, and Winthrop University, with support from the Peru Ministry of Culture. We are studying the agricultural practices of the ancient Collaguas, a pre-Inca ethnic group, during the Late Intermediate Period (ca 1000 – 1450). I’ve spent my time excavating at Achomani, a hilltop settlement with defensive walls, domestic structures, and burial sites – and an incredible view of the valley that I get to call my office. In addition to excavation and leading a trench team, I’ve been working on site informational signage and interpretation, as well as artifact analysis and registry in the lab.
What has been the most impactful moment during your Practicum experience?
Although I feel incredibly lucky to work with artifacts that have been untouched and unseen for over a thousand years, the most meaningful moment of my experience has been seeing the site signage I developed printed and installed. Creating bilingual signage with historical and archaeological interpretation has been a welcomed challenge, and the reward of seeing locals and tourists alike interact with the final product has been unforgettable.
What is something you’ve gained that you’d like to take with you into your future career?
The project’s genuine commitment to community engagement is something I plan to embody throughout my future career in museums and archaeology. Throughout the project I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside local residents in the field, attend community meetings, participate in local customs and rituals, and learn from traditional knowledge. Learning from Traditional Ecological Knowledge, local customs, and oral histories has been such a valuable and important experience. This knowledge has only reinforced my belief that only by understanding and responding to a community’s needs and values can projects like this one (and museums!) thrive.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your practicum?
Explore the website and check out our research updates
here!
