ArqueólogAs. Recovering Memory: Feminine Journeys through the History of Spanish Archaeology (19th and 20th Centuries)

• Timeframe: 2020–2022
• Lead institution: University of Barcelona. Research, development and innovation project sponsored by the State Research Agency, Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PID2019-110748GB-100)
• Lead researcher: Margarita Díaz-Andreu (Professor of Research, ICREA & University of Barcelona)
• MAN researchers: Ruth Maicas and Margarita Moreno Conde

Project website: https://www.ub.edu/arqueologas

The primary aim of the project “Recovering Memory: Feminine Journeys through the History of Spanish Archaeology (19th and 20th Centuries)” (ArqueólogAs) is to critically analyse the role of women in Spanish archaeology from the birth of this professional discipline in the 19th century to the present day by reconstructing the micro-histories of women who were involved in archaeology in one way or another. The project aspires to create a clear macro-historical narrative that will rescue the legacy of these professional women, many of whom have been silenced by history.

It will also explore the means of constructing female-centred memory, gender biases and the challenges that women archaeologists face in both institutional and commercial archaeology.

Although most people think of archaeologists as men, in Spain women began to work in this field as early as the 1930s, particularly at museums.

The project involves nineteen researchers from nine universities and four museums and heritage institutions in Spain and Portugal.