the quechua Panel

On October 8, 2025 the Quechua Panel brought together students and professors to share their research and personal experiences from the Andean region, offering a rich dialogue across disciplines. The discussion began by challenging the traditional separation between Andean and Amazonian archaeology. Highlighting the importance of adopting a more integrated perspective, one that crosses geographical and cultural boundaries to better understand the interconnectedness of these regions.

UVA Professor Ernesto Benitez followed by examining the legacies of colonialism stretching from the Andes to the Amazon in the post-Columbian era. His insights illuminated how colonial narratives have shaped our understanding of Amazonian colonization and continue to influence scholarship today.

The panel concluded with a presentation on the languages of the Andes, both historical and contemporary. The talk emphasized the region’s remarkable linguistic diversity and addressed ongoing forms of linguistic oppression, underscoring the need to protect and revitalize Indigenous languages as vital expressions of cultural identity.