“What secrets lie within these walls?” That’s the question I want you to keep in mind as we approach the Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas. It is located in the heart of Ciudad Universitaria.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas or IIA at UNAM has a rich history. It was founded October 4, 1973. Before that, from 1963 to 1973, it existed as the Sección de Antropología. This section was part of the Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas at UNAM.
The IIA studies human groups within their culture. Culture is seen as the interaction between humans’ biological and social aspects and their natural surroundings. This broad field is explored through several anthropological disciplines. These include physical anthropology, social anthropology, archaeology, ethnology, ethnohistory, and anthropological linguistics.
These fields all contribute knowledge about our cultural heritage. Research at the IIA focuses on the natural, cultural, and historical heritage. This heritage belongs to human groups, mainly in the Americas. Anthropological approaches study urban and rural societies. This study spans from their origins to the present day. Research projects by different academic groups drive this quest to understand humanity and its culture.
The IIA boasts four main areas of expertise. These are physical anthropology, social anthropology, archaeology, and anthropological linguistics. The Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas studies the human story. It examines our role in culture.
One key focus is the study of languages. Language is the foundation of culture. It allows for the transmission of knowledge. Preserving indigenous languages is a national treasure.
Archaeologists at the IIA also analyze remains and sites that aren’t monumental. They focus on domestic units. Here they find materials from everyday people. These were people outside the elite classes. This is material heritage. It is focused on the daily life of the past.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas also has eleven operational laboratories. One is the Laboratorio de Antropología Forense. It combines different anthropological disciplines. It studies the biological diversity of past and present populations.
The library Juan Comas is one of the most comprehensive in Latin America. It holds extensive collections. These include the Fondos Documentales Alfonso Caso. The Departamento de Publicaciones manages editorial production and distribution.
The Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas supports research. It also helps train future experts. It participates in postgraduate programs. These are in anthropology, music, architecture, and industrial design. It also works closely with the undergraduate program in anthropology.