Archaeology has long captivated the American public, yet pop culture mythology often obscures the harsh realities, thrilling discoveries, and complex moral decisions that archaeologists confront out in the field. In his forthcoming book American Archaeology: Living History, Stolen Pasts, and Defending the Past (Torrey House Press), journalist and conservation archaeologist R. E. Burrillo illuminates the joys and contradictions of digging into humanity’s past: the history of the practice, its evolution toward science, the influences of nationalism and colonialism, and its ongoing problems with exploitation and misrepresentation. Now, profit-driven practices are shaping how we study and preserve the past—and pose a serious and growing threat to our shared understanding of history itself. With rollicking storytelling and an insider’s expertise, Burrillo challenges us to celebrate curiosity even as we rethink what archaeology is, whom it serves, and what’s at stake for our future and our understanding of ourselves as a species. This talk is intended to accompany the book's release with additional stories and materials.
Join us for this riveting conversation on Saturday, April 18 at 6:30pm at the Bears Ears Education Center (567 W Main St, Bluff, UT 84512). This event is free and open to the public.
R.E. Burrillo is an archaeologist, researcher, author, and conservation advocate. He holds a Master of Science in Archaeology from the University of Utah and is a Research Associate with Archaeology Southwest. His writing has appeared in Archaeology Southwest Magazine, Colorado Plateau Advocate, The Salt Lake Tribune, along with many regional publications. He is the author of Behind the Bears Ears: Exploring the Cultural and Natural Histories of a Sacred Landscape, which was chosen by ForeWord Book Reviews as their critic’s choice in nonfiction for the year 2020.
