University of Kansas-University of Costa Rica 50th Anniversary

March 8-9, 2008

San Jose, Costa Rica

Paper presentations:

History and Genetic Structure of Costa Rica: Molecular, Demographic and Social Perspectives, Michael H. Crawford (KU), Ramiro M. Barrantes (UCR), and Norberto Baldi Salas (KU/UCR). Using a variety of gene-tracing techniques, the purposes of this project include: (a) establishing a chronology of the expansion and migration of the Chibchan-speaking population in Costa Rica; (b) determining the role of Chibchan-speaking populations in the patterns of migration and populating of Central and South America; (c) establishing the genetic relationship of Chibchan populations to each other and the surrounding populations of Central America; (d) determining a variety of other genetic characteristics of various genetic sub-populations in Costa Rica. The geographic location of the Chibchan groups spanned the American continents. Their unique genetic structure will make it possible for this project to provide a greater understanding of the complex populating of all the Americas. A study of the genetic structure of Costa Rican populations will also aid forensic and evolutionary investigations in Costa Rica.

Contributions to the Archaeology of Suerre, John W. Hoopes (KU) and Silvia Salgado González (UCR). The Caribbean lowlands of eastern Costa Rica have been the focus of archaeological research since the latter part of the 19 th century. Sites in this region serve as laboratories for the study of the emergence of social complexity over time in the area that is now Costa Rica and the origins and expansion of chiefdoms in Central America. The purpose of this project is to establish an initial field school, for the mapping of two archaeological sites, Corinto and El Abuelo. These are located in a significant archaeological zone, and they have a high probability of revealing important archaeological information about pre-Columbian cultures in the Central American region.