Indigenous Peoples Framed. How contemporary documentaries on the archaeology of Central America (re)present Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous perspective.

In the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples have been mis- and underrepresented in the mainstream media. It is therefore important to show the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and archaeologists in a correct way. Thus the research question of this thesis is: How are Indigenous Peoples (re)presented in contemporary documentaries on the archaeology and heritage of Central America? This was studied by analysing three documentaries. The cinematic language was explained in chapter two in order to be able to analyse documentaries. Then ethnographic content analysis was used to set up categories and variables to collect data from the films by analysing the characters. A definition of if a character was considered Indigenous or not was set up by studying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),...Show moreIn the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples have been mis- and underrepresented in the mainstream media. It is therefore important to show the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and archaeologists in a correct way. Thus the research question of this thesis is: How are Indigenous Peoples (re)presented in contemporary documentaries on the archaeology and heritage of Central America? This was studied by analysing three documentaries. The cinematic language was explained in chapter two in order to be able to analyse documentaries. Then ethnographic content analysis was used to set up categories and variables to collect data from the films by analysing the characters. A definition of if a character was considered Indigenous or not was set up by studying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the discussion between scholars on different definitions for Indigenous Peoples. The analysis of the data showed that from the three movies, with a total of 29 characters, only two characters could be considered Indigenous. This means that in these movies the Indigenous perspective was underrepresented. Also, some of the variables showed that these Indigenous characters were treated differently than other characters. Western filmmakers or production companies should be aware that they are not inclusive, which they should be according to UNDRIP. Western filmmakers should start collaborating with Indigenous Peoples when making movies about their history and heritage, because then Indigenous Peoples can regain control of their stories and represent themselves.Show less

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Indigenous Peoples Framed. How contemporary documentaries on the archaeology of Central America (re)present Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous perspective.