Flowing amidst and dealing with diverse waters

Abstract

Introduction: This paper reviews, analyzes and summarizes several of the papers presented at the XIV Central American Congress of Anthropology, held in October 2023, in particular, at the Thematic Roundtable called “Human Relations with Water: Remote and Recent Past”. In this way, their scope is addressed and the main results obtained are discussed.Objective: The aim is to raise awareness of the research carried out in Central America and beyond on the topic of water and the links with this resource, as well as to disseminate the work developed within the framework of academic events in Anthropology in this part of the world.Method: Qualitative in nature, the study of bibliographic sources was used, specifically, the nine case studies that make up this volume to analyze its contents and scope.Results: It was possible to obtain an overview of the issues facing studies related to water management in several Central American countries and in three Mexican states. This provides a starting point for future in-depth study of these issues.

Conclusions: The topic of human relations with water is an excellent bridge to link old and still current discussions about our position in the world as a species and the ties we establish with resources, in this case, water. Here, lessons learned from the past millennia and contemporary claims about access to this vital liquid stand out.