Santo Domingo Hosts Major Caribbean Archaeology Congress with 237 Researchers

237 researchers from 23 countries gathered in Santo Domingo for the opening of the XXXI Congreso Internacional de Arqueología del Caribe (IACA), the largest archaeology meeting in the region. The event runs from July 14 to 18, 2026, based at the Indotel Cultural Center in the Ciudad Colonial. Source: hoydo, infobae, listindiario

The Program

The congress features 97 presentations across 15 symposia, covering cutting-edge techniques such as ancient DNA analysis, isotopic studies, 3D modeling, and underwater archaeology. Source: infobae Notable topics include the study of the galleon San José off Colombia and historical shipwrecks off the Dominican coast. Source: listindiario

• Key technologies: ancient DNA, stable isotopes, archaeobotany, archaeozoology, photogrammetry, and digital 3D documentation. Source: eldiado, elcaribedr
• Participating institutions: Harvard University, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, University of Minnesota, University of Leiden, among others. Source: hoydo, listindiario

Field Activities

Beyond the main sessions, the agenda includes fieldwork excursions to Santiago and Cabo Samaná, plus visits to museums such as the Museo de Arqueología Subacuática. Source: eldiado, elcaribedr These activities aim to connect scientific debate with the region's tangible heritage.

Organization

The congress is organized by the Academia de Ciencias de la República Dominicana, with support from the Fundación García Arévalo, Centro León, Guahayona Institute, and the Ministry of Culture. Source: hoydo