Arthur Demarest

Arthur Demarest is an anthropologist and archaeologist, known for his studies of the Maya civilization.

Career

He studied Mesoamerican anthropology and archaeology in Tulane University, where he graduated. In 1981 Demarest was granted his doctorate by Harvard University and he was admitted to the prestigious Society of Fellows club. From 1984 on he taught at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, USA, where he holds the endowed chair of Ingram Professor of Anthropology and heads up the Institute of Mesoamerican Archaeology.

Contributions

Demarest has worked in Mesoamerica for 25 years, leading archaeological excavations and expeditions. He is considered one of the world's leading experts on the Olmec and Maya cultures, but is also interested in Incas, Aztecs and anthropological theory.

As an authority in the field, Demarest was interviewed on the collapse of Mayan civilisation by American journalist Alan Weisman for his book "The World Without Us". [Alan Weisman, "The World Without Us". New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, 2007, pp224-229] ] Demarest himself is the author of several books and numerous articles.

Awards

Demarest has been awarded various prizes, including the "Orden Nacional" from the Guatemalan president, for his archaeological and educational work in Guatemala and for his work on the contemporary Maya people.

References

ources

*"Maya II", book published by the Didrichsen Museum in Helsinki in conjunction with their "Maya" exhibition (ISBN 952-5567-04-4)