Alex Geurds new Professor in Central American archaeology: 'A professorship as a unifying force'
The appointment of Alex Geurds as Professor in Central American Archaeology reinvigorates an existing focus within the faculty. 'The research chair offers opportunities to make cross-connections, across departments and disciplines.'
Inhoudelijke richting
For Geurds, the moment of appointment felt like the end of a long journey. 'It's not a surprise in the classic sense. It is a process that runs for a year and a half, the moment of appointment coming closer step by step. But the moment it is actually completed, it does feel special, of course.'
Although the procedure was standard and thorough - with external references, a career committee and appointment interviews - Geurds emphasises that it is not just about his person. 'A professorship is never an individual platform. It reflects the focus of the Faculty.'
Bringing together
There is a deliberateness in the broadly formulated research assignment. 'I am not concerned with an exact geographical demarcation,' Geurds explains. 'The term “Central America” is a provocation: an attempt to bring back together regions that are often studied separately. In the 1950s, the discipline talked about the Archaeology of Middle America. That has disappeared, but I see value in that again.'
By studying Mesoamerica as well as the area of southern Central America and parts of Colombia in one professorship, Geurds hopes to bring more coherence to the research field. 'No one is an expert on the full three million square kilometres. But we can look at broadly shared material categories and also ask why both very high short-term peaks of social complexity occurred here, as well as many centuries of stable communities. Sometimes within a day's foot travel of each other.' Moreover, in the early 1980s, Faculty expertise on this part of the world was made viable by Maarten Jansen and there is also value in perpetuating this into the future.
Opportunities
Geurds emphasises that he does not see the research chair as a hierarchical vehicle. I absolutely do not want to be the professor who tells others what to do. There is so much expertise on Central America in Leiden - from archaeologists to linguists. It would be nice if, under this chair, we could get together from time to time, for instance for lectures. Then you see that people get energy from such an informal shared framework.'
Collaboration with Faculty colleagues like Alejandra Roche Recinos or Marin Berger and Mariana Françozo also goes without saying. 'Everyone has their own vision and focus. But when we see opportunities for students or teaching, we seek each other out.'
More than archaeology
The research chair can also build bridges outside the institute, Geurds thinks. 'There are great opportunities at the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, at the Wereldmuseum, or at other collections here in Leiden. Think about internships, educational projects, fieldwork. The chair can be a connecting link in that.'
Moreover, there is a strategic interest. 'Within the Faculty, this chair represents an important extra-European perspective. That provides a necessary balance in teaching and research. After all, the concept of World Archaeology also needs to be critically examined again and again.'
Looking ahead
What does Geurds himself hope to achieve with the chair? 'For me, it is important that it works for the people around me. That we get substantive space to think outside traditional areas of research. Also to connect us with the very large expertise in Central American countries and thus hopefully contribute to strengthening knowledge exchange. And that we have an anchor where connection and identity come together - not only within the Faculty, but also beyond.'