UOG archaeologist hosts video series as part of CHamoru Month

The House of Taga ruins on the island of Tinian in 2013. (UNIVERSITY OF GUAM)

Guam TV channels will be showing a 14-episode series about archaeology and ancient sites in the Mariana Islands as part of CHamoru Month.

Dr. Michael Carson, associate professor of Archaeology in the Micronesian Area Research Center at University of Guam hosts the series that incorporates his research and lectures.

“The 14 episodes look into what we know so far about the traditional latte sites, about the older sites of ancestral CHamoru habitation in the islands, about pottery artifacts, about specialized studies of ancient DNA and other evidence, and about diverse perspectives in the local community, government offices, museum curation issues, and more,” Carson said.

Each video provides an easy way to learn about what archaeology has revealed so far and what still potentially can be learned, according to Carson.

“People can watch the videos in their comfort and convenience to enjoy the latest discoveries and perspectives, without enrolling in a university program or reading textbooks.”

Carson condensed previous classroom presentations and online workshops to focus just on the key points and to encourage people to explore more. The videos also feature experts who will discuss public education and outreach of archaeology, community-based engagement with archaeology, government office management of ancient sites, ancient DNA research, and other topics.

The episodes will be shown on PBS Guam, Channel 12 on DOCOMO Pacific TV, and GTA TV, at 5pm and 5:30pm every Tuesday through Saturday beginning last Saturday, March 4. There will be a repeat airing of certain episodes.

The episodes will also be available through PBS University online. To learn more, go to https://pbsguam.org/program/pbs-university-and-pbs-university-higher-learning/

“Marianas Archaeology in a Large-scale View”

5pm Saturday, March 4

5:30pm Wednesday, March 8

5pm Thursday, March 23

“Sharing Knowledge About Ancient Life, Culture, History and Language”

5:30pm Saturday, March 4

5pm Wednesday, March 22

“Ancient DNA and Ancestral Origins”

5pm Tuesday, March 7

5:30pm Thursday, March 9

5:30pm Thursday, March 23

“Diverse Perspectives about the Past”

5:30pm Tuesday, March 7

5:30pm Wednesday, March 22

“Ancient Overseas Contacts”

5pm Wednesday, March 8

5:30pm Friday, March 10

5pm Friday, March 24

“Ancient Pottery of the Mariana Islands”

5pm Thursday, March 9

5:30pm Saturday, March 11

5:30pm Friday, March 24

“Traditional Latte Sites of the Mariana Islands”

5pm Friday, March 10

5:30pm Tuesday, March 14

5pm Saturday, March 25

“Household Labor at a Traditional Latte Site”

5pm Saturday, March 11

5:30pm Wednesday, March 15

5:30pm Saturday, March 25

“Preserving Cultural Heritage Sites”

5pm Tuesday, March 14

5:30pm Thursday, March 16

5pm Tuesday, March 28

“Reclaiming History through Museums” Part 1 of 2

5pm Wednesday, March 15

5: 30pm Friday, March 17

5:30pm Tuesday, March 28

“Reclaiming History through Museums” Part 2 of 2

5pm Thursday, March 16

5pm Saturday, March 18

5pm Wednesday, March 29

“Values of Archaeology for the Future”

5pm Friday, March 17

5:30pm Saturday, March 18

5:30pm Wednesday, March 29

“What Can We Learn from Archaeology?”

5pm Tuesday, March 21

“Community-based Perspectives in Archaeology”

5:30pm Tuesday, March 21

For more information about the content of the video series and other archaeology work by Carson at the Micronesian Area Research Center, UOG, email mtcarson@triton.uog.edu. (UOG)