Abstract

As globalization blurs borders and boundaries, how has cultural identity been altered and crafted? In the case of indigenous identity, or indigeneity, socioeconomics and sociocultural factors force the assimilation of Westernized values and ideals, forsaking indigeneity. Indigenous culture then becomes increasingly hybridized and lost, creating gaps in traditional ways of life. That is why preservation of the lifeways must be in context. The most important facets are process, history and culture as they are critical pieces in preserving a cultural way of life. In using ethnographic methods including material replication and virtualization, we can create the most accurate archive of lifeways. We propose to use an innovative and transdisciplinary approach to preserve the ancient art of huacos (replicas of pre-Incan & Incan pottery) from an indigenous man who is renowned as a local authority and expert ceramist from Cajamarca, Peru.