Pambamarca Archaeology Project: Culture and Fortresses in Ecuador

Location: Cangahua, P, EC

Season: June 28, 2025 to July 18, 2025

Session Dates: June 28 - July 18, 2025

Application Deadline: June 22, 2025

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.foothill.edu/anthropology/field/ecuador.html

Discount for AIA members: Discounted stays at the Hacienda Guachala for members (guachala.com)

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer, Staff Position

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Foothill College

Project Director:
Dr. Samuel Connell (Foothill College), Ana Lucia Gonzalez MA (Foothill College), and Dr. Chad Gifford (Columbia University)

Project Description:

Foothill College’s Department of Anthropology will be running a three-week project in the Ecuadorian Andes. This will be a multilayered deep dive into indigenous archaeology, community-based participatory archaeology and applied anthropology in a real connective way with the communities of highland Ecuador.  The project will run from June 28-July 18, 2025 with a program fee of $2500. Please apply using the preliminary application form and we will send you more information.

The 2025 Foothill Ecuador Summer Program is a three week field program designed to explore the cultures of Ecuador both past and present. Participants will get training in theory, methods and modern-day relevance of archaeological exploration by joining a team of archaeologists who have been excavating Inca and pre-Inca fortresses in the Ecuadorian Andes. There will be two main foci for the 2025 field season.  First, we will be conducting indigenous archaeology, to include integrating with local communities and helping members with their important tasks during the time we are there, which may be setting up for the festivals and dances to helping with the harvest and planting.  Secondly, we will be doing lab work to catch up from previous seasons which includes the cataloguing our extensive backlog of artifacts.  The program will also provide other opportunities to learn about and participate in ethnographic fieldwork with an applied focus in a multi-cultural setting.

The program is based in the Andean town of Cangahua (Cayambe), where students will live. Daily activities will consist primarily of archaeology lab work, classes, cultural excursions, applied ethnographic fieldwork and community service projects, and free time. The program will run daily for 21 days, with travel and cultural visitation taking place on weekends.

All participants must commit to active and positive engagement in all program components. Students will be enrolled in an Applied Anthropology course (Anth12) and an Introduction to Lab Analysis class (Anth17L). Both of these count towards the Certificate of Achievement in Archaeological Field Work offered by Foothill College.   Although previous experience is a bonus, it is not a requirement we are willing to take anyone who is interested!  If you would like a field school experience with alot of digging, then seek other programs, as this one will emphasize analysis in the lab and indigenous archaeology. If you speak some Spanish that is a plus for this project.

More Details – see project website for photos

Join an international team of researchers in the Ecuadorian Andes for this summer for anthropology and archaeology course work, field trips, and service learning projects. Discover with us the beauty of Ecuador as we continue our archaeological investigation of the fortresses of Pambamarca. Live with us and other project members in the small town of Cangahua an hour north of Quito. Formulate a plan for development in the indigenous communities where we live. Study archaeology and South American prehistory by taking classes and learning directly from the scientists. Travel with us to some of Ecuador’s famous attractions, important archaeological sites, artisan markets, lakes, waterfalls, and volcanic hot springs. Earn credits from Foothill College while gaining valuable experience about the world and improving your Spanish skills. Days will be spent in the culture of Ecuador both past and present.

To learn about the past each student will practice the basic field techniques of archaeology on the Pambamarca Archaeology Project, including excavation (basics but just practice), survey and laboratory analysis. Class work will cover some archaeology methods and theory, as well as South American archaeology. Field trips for students will be designed to foster intercultural knowledge. For example students will travel to indigenous communities, market towns, ancient archaeological sites and museums.

To learn about the present, service learning projects will be designed by the students as a way to apply your new found anthropology background to discover real-life solutions to practical community problems. Working closely with representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Ecuador, your class will be conducted in a dynamic format with students conducting field research to determine a course of action. This program is a more holistic anthropology experience that integrates course lectures, field trips, applied anthropology and service learning projects with archaeology field work.

Period(s) of Occupation: Inca South America, Spanish colonization

Notes:
Ecuador Archaeology Cultural Applied Anthropology Hacienda South America

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 21 days

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Participants will stay in a dormitory-styled house located behind the main church in the town of Cangahua, one hour north of Quito at the equator. This Casa Comunal is a large, two-story building with electricity, running water, showers, a kitchen, a mess hall and plenty of beds. Meals are prepared for the project by two wonderful cooks with lots of experience cooking for vegetarians and vegans. Students will also get to stay in the Hacienda Guachala if they would like to take on the extra cost. On days off you are free to explore. There are hikes and hot springs. The world famous artisans and market of Otavalo are located only an hour to the north. Buses are cheap and direct. Come prior or stay after the program has ended to truly explore Ecuador and the rest of South America. For the adventurous, the headwaters of the Amazon River, the majestic Pacific coastline, and even the Galapagos Islands are a short plane trip away. Ecuador is a truly remarkable place, and we are excited to share its wonders with you.  Plan to give yourself a week or two either before or after the trip.  You are in South America - you better take advantage! Cost: $2000 (program fee, not including airfare). Ecuador is not expensive, you can enjoy the low cost back-packers lifestyle after the program!

Academic Credit:
4 units of Applied Anthropology (Anth 12) and 2 units of Archaeology Lab (Anth 17L) offered by the Foothill College Department of Anthropology. $31/unit in state, $245/unit out of state