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Welcome to the archaeology web site of Lawrence S. Coben ("Larry"). I am an archaeologist affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA. My present interests include the Inka empire, located in South America during the 15th and 16th centuries and best known for sites such as Machu Picchu (above), and the emerging field of the archaeology of performance, which studies the role of performances, theatricality and spectacle in ancient societies. I am also interested in the relationship among belief, ideology and economic behavior-the behaviorial economics of premodern peoples.
UPCOMING TALKS:
"Political Performance, Ceremonial Urbanism and Increasing Complexity in the Inka Empire". November 7th, 2:20 p.m., UCLA Complex Society Meetings, UCLA Fowler Museum Auditorium.
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I am presently director of a multidisciplinary project at the monumental Inka site of Inkallakta (Incallacta, Incallajta or Inkallajta, see photo above), located near Cochabamba, Bolivia. This project explores the nature of the expansion and the cosmological and ideological underpinnings of the Inka empire, and the role of performance, theatricality and spectacle therein. I have examined these themes previously at other locations. For information on Proyecto Inkallakta hit the link below. For other aspects of my work in South America, hit the Inka archaeology page link below the email address. A link to the completed Carabaya project is available on the Inkallakta page.
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I am co-editor, with Dr. Takeshi Inomata of the University of Arizona, of a volume entitled "Theatres of Power and Community in Premodern Societies", to be published in 2004. The volume will examine the nature and political implications of theatrical performance at public events in these societies, such as those at the classical Greek theatre of Epidouros (above). Several eminent archaeologists who work in various parts of the world will contribute their views on this important and exciting question. For more on the Archaeology of Performance, hit the page link below.
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