The University of Arizona Press
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2027
Time: 5:30 p.m., MST
Where: Tumamoc Hill Boathouse, 1675 W Anklam Rd, Tucson
Free: Please RSVP here
author of Collaborative Archaeology: How Native American Knowledge Enhances Our Collective Understanding of the Past, will speak about the book on January 13 as part of the Tumamoc Author Series. Loendorf reveals how Indigenous knowledge deepens what we know about the past—and why it matters today—by centering Native voices as partners in discovery. He will discuss traditional Indigenous sports and what ongoing O’odham practices can teach us about interpreting pre‑historic sites—insights that archaeology alone often cannot provide. The program will also explore how O’odham communication and design—especially visual media—makes the past vivid and relevant, connecting ancestral knowledge to contemporary communities.
This talk will be held at the boathouse at the base of Tumamoc Hill. The event is presented by Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, The University of Arizona Press, and The Southwest Center, and is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase, and the author will be available for signing following the talk. Please RSVP here.
About the book:
Collaborative Archaeology brings together a diverse group of scholars and tribal cultural resource professionals to showcase how Indigenous knowledge is transforming archaeological practice. Edited by Chris Loendorf, this volume features twelve case studies that highlight the power of partnership between Native American communities and archaeologists. These collaborations not only enrich our understanding of the past but also affirm Indigenous cultural continuity. From the establishment of Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to tribally led research initiatives, the book illustrates how Native voices are reshaping the field.
This timely collection bridges disciplinary divides between archaeology, history, and traditional knowledge, challenging outdated narratives that separate “prehistory” from living Indigenous communities. Collaborative Archaeology is essential reading for scholars, students, and practitioners committed to scientific understanding and cultural preservation.
