A multidisciplinary perspective: the indelible mark of Richard Cooke’s archaeological methodology and its influence on the author’s research in the lower valley of the La Villa river and the islands of the Coiba National Park, Panama

Abstract

One of the outstanding aspects of Richard Cooke’s research, methodology and influence on the archeology of the isthmus is the harmonic way in which he substantiates his hypotheses, analyzes, and results with multiple disciplines. This has yielded the most complete reconstruction of the cultural, social, and economic evolution of the native people of the Isthmus. The participation of the author in his excavations at the Cerro Juan Díaz site influenced and inspired her to expand the cultural and regional context of this unique pre-Columbian village and carry out a pedestrian survey within the southern boundaries of a well-known sixteenth century chiefdom, located in the lower valley of the La Villa River in the Azuero Peninsula. His influence also motivated her to use a multidisciplinary approach when studying the anthropic impact on the vegetation of the Coiba Island and establish new parameters for the prediction and location of archaeological sites in forested areas not impacted by humans since the European contact. This essay focused on the methodologies and results of two projects located in distinct geographical and ecological areas of the Pacific coast of Panama. Both areas, however, share long-standing cultural links. We will reflect on the contributions and collaboration of Richard Cooke to these studies and how his teachings and influence inspired the author to collaborate in multidisciplinary research.