Archaeology (Research): Religion and Society in Native American Cultures

This programme is suited for students interested in combining disciplines while studying the past in connection to the present.
In this specialisation, archaeology, anthropology, sciences, history, linguistics, landscape and heritage studies come together. You will gain a broad knowledge of and deep insight into Native American cultural history, focusing on the relationships between religious worldview and social agency.
Your research master’s thesis is to be based on original research. This may include archaeological or anthropological fieldwork, as well as studies of museum collections, archives and other primary sources. You will have the opportunity to participate in field schools related to long-term research projects, such as excavations in the Caribbean or Nicaragua (including studies of material culture and physical anthropology). Research in Mexico focuses on indigenous heritage (a.o. ancient visual art, contemporary oral traditions, water management). Other areas of staff expertise include Venezuela and the Andes.

The RMA-thesis is conceived as the basis for possible PhD-research later. It is to be based on original research, which may include archaeological or anthropological fieldwork, as well as studies of museum collections, archives and other primary sources. There are opportunities to participate in Leiden field schools, related to long-term research projects, such as excavations in the Caribbean and Central America or ethnography and cultural-historical research in Mesoamerica and the Andean region.

Track leaders:
Prof. dr. C.L. (Corinne) Hofman
Prof. dr. M.E.R.G.N. (Maarten) Jansen