American Archaeology: The Past, Present, and Future of the Past
Presented by R.E. Burrillo
Friday, October the 30th at 4:00pm
Book Signing and Complimentary Reception to Follow
Located at VVAC
Archaeology has long captivated the American public, yet pop culture mythology often obscures the harsh realities, thrilling discoveries, and complex moral decisions that archaeologists confront out in the field. In his forthcoming book American Archaeology, journalist and conservation archaeologist R. E. Burrillo illuminates the joys and contradictions of digging into humanity’s past: the history of the practice, its evolution toward science, the influences of nationalism and colonialism, and its ongoing problems with exploitation and misrepresentation.
Now, profit-driven practices are shaping how we study and preserve the past—and pose a serious and growing threat to our shared understanding of history itself. With rollicking storytelling and an insider’s expertise, Burrillo challenges us to celebrate curiosity even as we rethink what archaeology is, whom it serves, and what’s at stake for our future and our understanding of ourselves as a species. This talk is intended to accompany the book's release with additional stories and materials.
R.E. Burrillo is a researcher, author, conservationist, and cultural preservationist. He holds a Master of Science in archaeology from the University of Utah and is a research associate with Archaeology Southwest. His writing has appeared in Kiva, American Antiquity, Archaeology Southwest Magazine, Colorado Plateau Advocate, and The Salt Lake Tribune, along with many regional publications. He is also the author of American Archaeology: Living History, Stolen Pasts, and Defending the Future, published in 2026; Behind the Bears Ears: Exploring the Cultural and Natural Histories of a Sacred Landscape, which was chosen by Foreword Reviews as their critic’s choice in nonfiction for the year 2020; and The Backwoods of Everywhere: Words from a Wandering Local, an essay collection published in 2022. He currently lives in Tucson, Arizona.
Following the presentation join us for a complimentary reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
There will be a book signing during the reception and this book will be available for purchase at the museum.
