There’s an old running joke in archaeology, when presented with an artifact we aren’t entirely sure about the use of, we sometimes say “When it doubt, ritual.”. It’s a joke because at the end of the day, when it comes to some artifacts and some historical rituals, we aren’t always able to pinpoint every item used and how. However, it is a very different set of questions when these ceremonies and rituals are still being practiced in parts of the world, and is a reason why the different forms of anthropology are so vital to understanding what is being produced at archaeological sites.
If you are lucky enough to be able to witness one of these old ceremonies or rituals in person, it provides valuable insight into further understanding a culture and people much better than before. If you are lucky enough to be a part of a ceremony or ritual, the understanding and connection to the process, often lengthy, goes even deeper, and you not only have a slightly better understanding, but also a better appreciation for the ceremony, ritual, culture, and people. If you are an anthropologist, you look at things from the etic, or outsider view, and you can learn a lot, don’t worry about that, but the opportunity to do research and be able to understand from the emic, or insider view, whether it be living in another country as the citizens there do, having in depth conversations with locals, or both, that information will provide something that is missing in so many texts: a human connection.
Which is how I shall start off this entry in Unity In Ecuador, with the insight gained from being a part of rituals and ceremonies performed by native Ecuadorians, who graciously honored the group of students I was traveling with, by allowing us to be a part of these ceremonies and rituals.
Archaeology, Fandom, and Puns, oh my! 