Jane MacLaren Walsh

Anthropologist

Title:
Jane Walsh , Ph.D.

Phone:  202-633-1897
Fax:  202-357-2208
E-mail Address:  walshj@si.edu

Mailing Address:
Department of Anthropology, NHB 112
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
USA

• Courier Delivery Address:
  Smithsonian Institution
  National Museum of Natural History
  10th and Constitution Ave, NW
  Washington, DC 20560-0112
  
  Position and Responsibilities:
  Museum Specialist (Mexican archaeology & ethnohistory);and
  Affiliations Coordinator.
  

Education:
Ph.D.   1993, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
M.A.    1971, University of the Americas, Mexico City, Mexico
B.A.     1968, University of the Americas, Mexico City, Mexico

Research Interests:
My principal research interest is the archaeology and ethnohistory of pre-Columbian Mexican cultures.  This specialization began quite early during high school years spent in Mexico City, and continues today with the study Pre-Columbian Mexican archaeological collections in the Smithsonian collections, as well as other national museums.  As a result of my work with crystal skulls, I have developed a specialty in pre-Columbian lapidary technology; and additionally employ ethnohistorical archives to document the cultural practices and technological advancements of ancient cultures.  I am also interested in fake artifacts that have found their way into important national collections.  I think fakes are creatures of their time, and as such have important stories to tell us about our own history, in addition to the evolving states of our knowledge.

Selected Publications:
2008    The Dumbarton Oaks Tlazolteotl: Looking Beneath the Surface in Journal de la Société des Americanistes, 94-1.

2008    Legend of the Crystal Skull in Archaeology Magazine; Volume 61, No. 3 May/June - http://www.archaeology.org/0805/etc/indy.html

2006    Falsificando la historia, Los falsos objetos prehispánicos in Arqueología Mexicana; vol. XIV, No. 82

2005   What Is Real? A New Look at Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Collections in Anthronotes, Vol. 26,No. 1, Spring

2004    La Vasija Obsidiana de Texcoco in Arqueología Mexicana, vol. XII, No.70

2004    From the Ends of the Earth – The Extraordinary Collections of the U.S. Exploring Expedition in the Smithsonian Institution Libraries website, The United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842

2003   Máscaras Teotihuacanas; De Teotihuacan a Filadelphia en 1830 in     Araqueología Mexicana, Teotihuacan Ciudad de Misterios; Vol. XI, Num. 64.

2002    The Smithsonian Water Goddess; An Aztec Sculpture Rediscovered. in West by Nonwest, RES, Vol. 42, Autumn. Peabody Museum of Archaeology    and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge.

2002    Collections as Currency in Anthropology in History, and American Indians:   Essays in Honor of William Curtis Sturtevant, Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology, Number 44, SI Press, Washington,D.C.,

2001    Smithsonian Expeditions: A Museum Partnership in AnthroNotes -   Museum of Natural History Publication for Educators; Volume 22, No. 3, Fall

1998    John Peabody Harrington, a biographical sketch, in  American National Biography; Oxford University Press.

1997    Crystal Skulls and Other Problems in Exhibiting Dilemmas ;  Issues of Representation at the Smithsonian. edited by Henderson & Kaeppler. 

Selected Electronic Publications:
2008    Natural History Highlight:  “Ancient Mexico, Hollywood land the             French Coonnection:  The Hype, The History, The Reality       http://anthropology.si.edu/crystal_skulls/

2007    Smithsonian Olmec Legacy, http://anthropology.si.edu/olmec/ a bi-lingual virtual exhibition with a database of 800 field  photographs  and a second database containing 700 photographs of Olmec artifacts
Walsh, J.M. with Pamela Henson and Margaret Dittemore

1999    Smithsonian Expeditions: 150 Years of Research in Latin America. http://anthropology.si.edu/laexped/  An electronic exhibit. 

Selected Exhibitions:
2007    Smithsonian Treasure from Mexico; Smithsonian Institution.

2006     México a través de los Ojos de Edward Nelson, 1892 – 1906 - An exhibit of at the Museo Universitario in Malinalco, Estado de Mexico & Universidad Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas

1999:   Smithsonian Expeditions:  Exploring Latin America and the Caribbean.   Miami Museum of Science.   

1996:  Expeditions - 150 Years of Smithsonian Research in Latin America.  Cultural Center Gallery of the Interamerican Development Bank

1991:   Seeds of Change -National Museum of Natural History.

1985    Magnificent Voyagers - The U.S. Exploring Expedition 1838-1842.  National Museum of Natural History.  Also traveling exhibition.

1978    Treasures of Mexico.  Sponsored by the Armand Hammer Foundation.  National Museum of Natural History

Fellowships and Grants
2003   Women’s International Science Collaboration Program,
American Association for the Advancement of Science grant to fund Scanning Electron Microscope study of Pre-Columbian carved stone artifacts at British Museum

2002    Smithsonian Institution Latino Initiative for Smithsonian Olmec Legacy project.

2001    Miami Museum of Science grant for series of teleconferences on Expeditions

2000    Special grant for series of three teleconferences on Expeditions exhibit, MMS
1999    Special grant for exhibition, Smithsonian Institution, Latino Initiative

1999    Special Grant for exhibition, Miami Museum of Science

1999     U.S.I.A., Fulbright -  U.S. Speaker and Specialist Grant in El Salvador

1998    U.S.I.A. U.S. Speaker and Specialist Grant in El Salvador

1997    Research Opportunity Fund, Smithsonian Institution

1996    Smithsonian Institution Latino Initiative Allocation Fund

1995    H. John Heinz III Charitable Trust grant

1995    Research Opportunity Fund, Smithsonian Institution

1994    Research Resources Program Grant, Smithsonian Institution.

1988    Research Opportunity Fund, Smithsonian Institution.

1987    Suzanne Liebers Erickson Danish Exchange Program grant for research,

Awards
2005    Reconocimiento; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México.

2004    Certificate of Award, Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program

2001    Certificate of Award, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of
Natural History

2000    Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
Exemplary Service Award.

1999    Award of Appreciation, Institute of Maya Studies, Miami Museum of Science

1994    Smithsonian Institution Personal Recognition and Excellence Award.

1992    National Museum of Natural History: Director's Award for
Meritorious Service

1987    Print Casebooks 8: Design Excellence Award -  Magnificent Voyagers:The United States Exploring Expedition 1938-1842.

1986    National Museum of Natural History: Director's Exceptional Service   

1978     National Museum of Natural History: Director's  Superior Performance Award