Since 1975, Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen and Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez have developed a long-term research program at Leiden University concerning the ancient art and worldview as well as the living heritage and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. This research program combines archaeological, historical, linguistic and anthropological data in a holistic approach, while postcolonialism, intercultural communication and decolonising practice play a crucial role in the methodology and theoretical framework.

Description

Within this context, the specific research of Jansen and Pérez Jiménez themselves seeks to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the history, religion and socio-economic development of the Indigenous Peoples in Mexico.

A first aim is the decipherment of Aztec and Mixtec picture writing, as present in pre-colonial and early colonial pictorial manuscripts (codices) and related art (frescoes, sculptures, decorated ceramics, incised bones, gold figures etc.). Iconological analysis is combined with the study of ancient monuments, colonial chronicles and oral traditions (cultural continuity). Ethnographic and linguistic fieldwork among the Ñuu Savi (Mixtec people) in the State of Oaxaca documents ceremonial discourse, narratives, rituals and sacred landscape. Simultaneously, diverse archives, museums, libraries and other collections in Mexico, the U.S.A. and Europe are investigated.

A second aim of this project is the deconstruction of colonial ideas and representations, which affect Western perceptions and interpretations until today. As an example the project is re-examining the – very biased – colonial reports about the so-called human sacrifice. This research is connected with critical reflections on the impact of colonialism and the ongoing discrimination, marginalization and exploitation of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. Over the past years a series of colloquia on ‘Heritage and Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ have been organized.

People involved

Emeritus Prof. Dr. Maarten E.R.G.N. Jansen
Mrs. Gabina Aurora Pérez Jiménez (Mixtec researcher)
In the past decades more than 40 PhD candidates finished their dissertations and more than 10 postdoc researchers worked in relation to this program.

Funding