Arthur Demarest
Encyclopedia
Arthur Andrew Demarest is an American anthropologist
and archaeologist
, known for his studies of the Maya civilization
.
Cajun, studied Mesoamerica
n anthropology and archaeology at Tulane University
, where he graduated. In 1981 Demarest was granted his doctorate
by Harvard University
and he was admitted to the prestigious Harvard Society of Fellows
club. From 1984 on he taught at Vanderbilt University
in Tennessee
, USA, where he holds the endowed chair of Ingram Professor of Anthropology and heads up the Institute of Mesoamerican Archaeology.
and Maya
cultures, but is also interested in Incas, Aztecs and anthropological theory.
As an authority in the field, Demarest was interviewed on the collapse of Maya civilisation by American journalist Alan Weisman
for his book The World Without Us
. Demarest himself is the author of several books and numerous articles.
Demarest's work with the Maya in Mesoamerica was featured in the "Last Days of the Maya
", a 2005 documentary in the television series Explorer, aired on the National Geographic Channel.
and for his work on the contemporary Maya people
.
In 2000 Demarest was presented with the Orden del Pop
, an annual award bestowed by Guatemala's Museo Popol Vuh
at the Universidad Francisco Marroquín
, in recognition of his services to Guatemalan archaeology, particularly his fieldwork at locations such as the Petexbatún Basin, Soconusco coast
, and the site of Cancuén
.
In 2004 Demarest became the first US citizen to be awarded the Orden Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural de Guatemala, an annual award presented by the office of the President of Guatemala
in recognition of contributions to the country's cultural heritage. Demarest was presented with the award by the then Guatemalan president, Oscar Berger
, in a ceremony on 10 November of that year, with a citation for his contributions to "the rescue, conservation and protection of tangible cultural patrimony".
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
and archaeologist
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
, known for his studies of the Maya civilization
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
.
Career
Demarest, a LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Cajun, studied Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and...
n anthropology and archaeology at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
, where he graduated. In 1981 Demarest was granted his doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
by Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and he was admitted to the prestigious Harvard Society of Fellows
Harvard Society of Fellows
The Harvard Society of Fellows is a group of scholars selected at the beginning of their careers by Harvard University for extraordinary scholarly potential, upon whom distinctive academic and intellectual opportunities are bestowed in order to foster their individual growth and intellectual...
club. From 1984 on he taught at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, USA, where he holds the endowed chair of Ingram Professor of Anthropology and heads up the Institute of Mesoamerican Archaeology.
Contributions
Demarest has worked in Mesoamerica for 25 years, leading archaeological excavations and expeditions. He is considered one of the world's leading experts on the OlmecOlmec
The Olmec were the first major Pre-Columbian civilization in Mexico. They lived in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico, in the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco....
and Maya
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
cultures, but is also interested in Incas, Aztecs and anthropological theory.
As an authority in the field, Demarest was interviewed on the collapse of Maya civilisation by American journalist Alan Weisman
Alan Weisman
Alan H. Weisman is an American author, professor, and journalist.- Education and career :Weisman holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in literature from Northwestern University...
for his book The World Without Us
The World Without Us
The World Without Us is a non-fiction book about what would happen to the natural and built environment if humans suddenly disappeared, written by American journalist Alan Weisman and published by St. Martin's Thomas Dunne Books. It is a book-length expansion of Weisman's own February 2005 Discover...
. Demarest himself is the author of several books and numerous articles.
Demarest's work with the Maya in Mesoamerica was featured in the "Last Days of the Maya
Last Days of the Maya
Last Days of the Maya, released to DVD under the title Royal Maya Massacre, is a 2005 documentary in the television series Explorer, which currently airs on the National Geographic Channel....
", a 2005 documentary in the television series Explorer, aired on the National Geographic Channel.
Awards
Demarest has been awarded various prizes for his archaeological and educational work in GuatemalaGuatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
and for his work on the contemporary Maya people
Maya peoples
The Maya people constitute a diverse range of the Native American people of southern Mexico and northern Central America. The overarching term "Maya" is a collective designation to include the peoples of the region who share some degree of cultural and linguistic heritage; however, the term...
.
In 2000 Demarest was presented with the Orden del Pop
Orden del Pop
The Orden del Pop is an annual award bestowed by the Museo Popol Vuh at Guatemala's Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Created in 1998, the Orden del Pop recognises "the work of individuals who have made significant contributions towards the protection, study and research of Guatemala's cultural...
, an annual award bestowed by Guatemala's Museo Popol Vuh
Museo Popol Vuh
The Museo Popol Vuh is home to one of the major collections of Maya civilization art in the world. It is located on the campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Zone 10, Guatemala City and is known for its extensive collection of pre-Columbian and colonial art of the Mayan culture.The...
at the Universidad Francisco Marroquín
Universidad Francisco Marroquín
Universidad Francisco Marroquín is a private, secular, university in Guatemala City, Guatemala. According to the school's website, "the mission of Universidad Francisco Marroquín is to teach and disseminate the ethical, legal and economic principles of a sociey of free and responsible persons."...
, in recognition of his services to Guatemalan archaeology, particularly his fieldwork at locations such as the Petexbatún Basin, Soconusco coast
Soconusco
Soconusco is a region of the Mexican state of Chiapas, located in the extreme south of the state and separated from Guatemala by the Suchiate River. It is a region of rich lowlands and foothills. The economic center is Tapachula. Soconusco consists of 16 municipalities.The name comes from the...
, and the site of Cancuén
Cancuén
Cancuén is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, located in the Pasión subregion of the central Maya lowlands in the present-day Guatemalan Department of El Petén. The city is notable for having one of the largest palaces in the Maya world.- Ancient Cancuén :Cancuén was a...
.
In 2004 Demarest became the first US citizen to be awarded the Orden Nacional del Patrimonio Cultural de Guatemala, an annual award presented by the office of the President of Guatemala
President of Guatemala
The title of President of Guatemala has been the usual title of the leader of Guatemala since 1839, when that title was assumed by Mariano Rivera Paz...
in recognition of contributions to the country's cultural heritage. Demarest was presented with the award by the then Guatemalan president, Oscar Berger
Oscar Berger
Oscar Berger may refer to:*Óscar Berger , President of Guatemala*Oscar Berger , caricaturist and cartoonist born in Czechoslovakia*Oscar Berger-Levrault, French inventor...
, in a ceremony on 10 November of that year, with a citation for his contributions to "the rescue, conservation and protection of tangible cultural patrimony".