Award Description

The Award for Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology will be presented annually to an individual who has made a lasting and significant contribution to the practice of archaeology and/or to the construction of archaeological knowledge in Latin America or the Caribbean. In selecting the recipient of this award, the committee will pay particular attention to the cultural context in which the nominee works and to the different pathways to creating and promoting excellence in Latin American and Caribbean archaeology. The award is open to individuals at any point in their careers.

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

Any SAA member may nominate an individual for this award. Awardees must be members of the SAA.

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

Nominators are required to submit 1) a nomination letter, 2) a detailed curriculum vita of the nominee that includes a complete bibliography of local and international research publications, 3) brief description of the academic and/or cultural impact of research, publications and other relevant activities and 4) at least two supporting letters; one supporting letter should be from a Latin American or Caribbean archaeologists and one supporting letter should be from a Latin Americanist/Caribbeanist. All nominations and supporting documents are requested in PDF format to be sent via email to the committee chair.

Other Special Requirements

All nominations and supporting documents are requested in PDF format to be sent via email to the committee chair.

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website.

Current Committee Charge

The committee is charged with selecting a recipient for the Award for Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology, to be presented annually in recognition of a member (regardless of national origin) who has made a lasting and significant contribution to the practice of archaeology and/or to the construction of archaeological knowledge in Latin America or the Caribbean.

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and at least four members, who together represent a variety of research areas, including the Southern Cone of South America, the Andes, Amazonia/Brazil, northern South America, Central America, Mesoamerica, and the Caribbean. 

Term Length

Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.

Award Cycle

N/A 

Committee Chair and End of Term

Cameron L. McNeil [2029]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Names and term end dates for the chair and all members can be found on the committee page in the SAA Directory. 

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean archaeology is seen as a context-specific concept that must be evaluated in terms of the economic, political, cultural, academic and professional circumstances within which each candidate has pursued the practice of the profession and/or generation of archaeological knowledge, through such activities as research, institutional development, teaching and training of students, public awareness, cultural heritage preservation, among others.

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

All communication is via email. Immediately following the deadline for nominations and supporting materials and reception of all existing documents by the committee chair by January 6, files are forwarded to the committee members to begin deliberation. Committee members are requested to finish reviewing documents and submit recommendations by January 25. A final decision is made by January 27, at which time the text of the award citation is prepared and distributed among the committee members for final opinions. The decision and citation are communicated to the Chair of the Committee on Awards, who in turn notifies the Executive Director and President by January 31. The committee, upon consultation with the nominator(s), may roll over second and third-ranked candidates for an additional year of eligibility for the award (as per Motion 132-74B, Board of Directors Meeting #132, October 2013).