Community-archaeology training in south Suriname

The Trio Community Archaeology Training Project is a community-led initiative in south Suriname designed to document, conserve and honour indigenous cultural heritage. Driven by an explicit request from the Trio community, this project marks the first phase of a multi-year programme aimed at bridging ancestral wisdom with modern scientific practices.

The opportunity

While the Archaeological Department holds records of 10 historic finds within the region, these files urgently require updating. This project uses modern technology — including GPS tracking — to validate these existing sites while systematically searching for and documenting new historical assets.

Crucially, the Trio community is in the lead. By turning the validation process into a hands-on training ground, community members are learning the fundamentals of community archaeology. This equips them with the skills to independently locate, document and officially register future finds, ensuring long-term stewardship of their own history.

The project brings together institutional expertise and grassroots action through key partnerships:

• The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Archaeological Department): receiving critical, long-overdue updates to national historical records.
• Irene Meulenberg: serving as the project’s head archaeologist. She brings deep expertise as both a Forest93 ambassador and a leading figure at the Ministry.

This first phase of capacity-building is funded by The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Suriname. Together, we are investing in indigenous-led conservation that protects both cultural identity and regional history.