Indigenous Archaeological Field Technicians at Tiwanaku, Bolivia: A Hybrid Form of Scientific Labor

Archaeological fieldwork at Tiwanaku, Bolivia, reveals a unique hybrid form of scientific labor where indigenous Mallkus and archaeologists collaboratively negotiate job definitions, hiring, and payment, rather than archaeologists maintaining direct control. This study highlights how such negotiations lead to a labor organization that blends Aymara/indigenous and archaeological/scientific conceptualizations, challenging traditional models of scientific practice. The research approach involved ethnographic observation and analysis of labor dynamics on the site, demonstrating that the process was not inherently conflicted but instead fostered mutual understanding and cooperation.

Leighton, M. (2016). Indigenous Archaeological Field Technicians at Tiwanaku, Bolivia: A Hybrid Form of Scientific Labor. American Anthropologist, 118(4), 742–754. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aman.12682