Marisoly Alvarez
Research Student, Faculty of Arts
Current Research
My current research topic deals with the transformations in the expression of social identity within the towns and hinterlands of central and southern Spain, between the Late Antique period and the Islamic Emirate (ca. AD 450-950). The archaeological and anthropological study of late antique and early medieval Spain is one of the areas that currently are experiencing more development within Iberian archaeology. Despite this, much is still yet unknown and aspects such as inter-ethnic interaction, social organization, daily life, settlement patterns, material culture and ethnic identity still need more analysis and research. At present, several former findings are being reassessed in the light of recent discoveries both in Spain and Portugal. As part of my research I have been given the oportunity to travel several times to Spain, visiting some important Late Antique and Early Medieval sites and spending some time in recognised archaelogical museums and research centres, such as Consorcio Ciudad Monumental de Mérida, a research institution of long-standing international recognition in Mediterranean, Roman and Medieval studies.
Past Research
I graduated in Venezuela (1999) as an Anthropologist, with specialization in Archaeology and Ethnohistory. My research topic back then had to do with domestic space and daily life in 19th century Venezuela, ending in a thesis entitled: "La ciudad agitada: El Habitar en Caracas en la Transición del Antiguo Régimen a la República" (The hectic city: Inhabiting in Caracas in the Transition from the Former Regime to the Republic), published later in 2005 in Antropológica (vol. 101), a recognised national scientific journal in the form of the article "Mujer y espacio doméstico: Una aproximación a la vida cotidiana en Caracas entre 1750 y 1850" (Woman and domestic space: An approach to daily life in Caracas between 1750 and 1850).
In Spain (1999-2001) I did a Masters Degree in Heritage which thesis consisted in a integrated restoration project proposal entitled "Restauración del Monasterio de San Benito El Real, de Sahagún" (Restoration of the Monastery of San Benito El Real in Sahagún). Between 2003 and 2005 I worked in Caracas as a Research Advisor for Nelson Sanchez Chapellin Foundation, as Director of the Departments of Cataloguing and Ethnographical Collections. Also I was supervisor to several undergraduate interns. As such, I had the opportunity of doing some interesting projects:
- "Magia y ritual" (Magic and ritual in Africa). Research and exhibition, 2005.
- "Maternidad vista a través del arte africano" (Motherhood Viewed through African Art). Research and art exhibition, 2004.
- "Miniaturas y otros objetos de la India" (Miniatures and other objects from India). Research and art exhibition, 2004.
- "Formación de milicias y batallones de negros en la Venezuela pre republicana" (Formation of Black Battalions and Militias in Pre Republican Venezuela). Paper for the 11th Congress of the Latin American Association for Studies of Asia and Africa (ALADAA), Mexico City, 2003.