Only Female High-Altitude Archaeologist to Speak at AASU, January 31

Savannah, GA—January 20, 2005—Renowned archaeologist and mountain climber Constanza Ceruti, the only female high-altitude archaeologist in the world, will give a presentation at Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU), January 31. She will discuss her discoveries and expeditions, funded by National Geographic, in the Andes Mountains. Her talk, "High Altitude Archaeology: Inca Mountaintop Shrines and Frozen Mummies in the Andes," will begin at 12:15 p.m. in room 1405 of AASU's Science Center. It is free and open to the public.

Ceruti is the honorary director of the Institute of High Mountain Research at Catholic University of Salta. She has become a specialist in the field of high altitude archaeology and studying Inca ceremonial centers on the summits of Andean mountains. Ceruti has climbed over 100 mountains above 16,500 feet, within the context of systematic archaeological research, which has resulted in more than 40 publications, including six books.

Ceruti's university has recognized her academic achievements by awarding her its Gold Medal. Her mountaineering achievements have been recognized with the Gold Condor, the most important award given by the National Army of Argentina. She earned her Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Cuyo.

The event is co-sponsored by the Office of International Education and the Women’s Studies program. Ceruti is the invited speaker for the University System of Georgia’s Americas Conference that will be held February 4-5 at AASU.