[Aztlan] Pre-Columbian Society/Washington, DC September 16 Symposium

[rdlyon at verizon.net]

The Pre-Columbian Society of Washington, D.C. is currently accepting registrations for its September 2006 symposium, “Adventures in Pre-Columbian Studies: Illuminating the Past and Imagining the Future.”  The symposium, to be held from 9:10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 16,  will offer a journey into pre-Columbian studies as told through the career of Elizabeth P. Benson, a remarkable scholar whose achievements span the many distinct disciplines and cultures that make up the pre-Columbian field.  

Elizabeth Benson created the Pre-Columbian Studies Program at Dumbarton Oaks, organized the first Maya hieroglyphic study group in the U.S., and, through her own research, refined the ways in which iconography and cross-cultural studies are used to explore the ancient American past.  In tribute to her many contributions, this symposium will bring together some of today’s leading scholars to recap the thinking of the past, delve into the cutting edge ideas of the present, and provide glimpses into the potential breakthroughs of the future.

Julie Jones of The Metropolitan Museum of Art will moderate the symposium and will give introductory remarks. Other speakers include Steve Bourget of UT/Austin, Alana Cordy-Collins of UC/San Diego, Esther Pasztory of Columbia University, Peter Roe of the University of Delaware, Justin Kerr of New York City, and Gillett Griffin of Princeton University.  Following the speakers, Elizabeth Benson will give a brief address about the future of scholarship in the fields discussed in the preceding presentations.

The September 16 symposium will be held at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., in the heart of Washington, D.C.  The Center is conveniently located next to the Archives Metro station  

The registration form and further information about the symposium are available from the Pre-Columbian Society’s website, www.pcswdc.org.  Questions may be directed to scott.m.wilson at verizon.net.