Susan Monge

I am a zooarchaeologist interested in animal management and human-environment interactions in PreColumbian Southern Central America. For my Master’s thesis, I investigated the roles animals played in a Costa Rican costal archaeological site with support from the Institute for Social Science Investigations of the University of Costa Rica. I also taught an introductory zooarchaeology course and subsistence strategies course at the University of Costa Rica.

In addition to y archaeological work, I participated as project manager on several environmental conservation projects with the surrounding communities of the Ribera wetlands in Costa Rica. I focused on environmental education at local schools and recreation centers, while carrying out tours and reforestation efforts with the local communities. Furthermore, I received the National Gold Cube award from the Costa Rican Architects Association for my participation in a community service project investigating the relationship between Linda Vista at-risk populations and their environment. This project culminated with the construction of an environmentally friendly bamboo playground based on workshops and interviews with local residents.

Monge, S. (In Press). A Tropical Treasure Trove: The role of animals in precolumbian southern Greater Nicoya. The Cultural Mosaic of Central America: Diverse Archaeologies of the Archaeology of Diversity. Edited by Roberto Herrera, Yahaira Nuñez-Cortez, and Geoffrey McCafferty. The University of Utah Press: Salt Lake City

Monge, S. (2020). Conociendo el Humedal de la Ribera. El Guacho: Periódico oficial del Comité Cantonal de la Persona Joven de Belén, pg. 13

Monge, S. (2015). Humedal La Ribera: Riquezas y dilemas. El Guacho: Periódico oficial del Comité Cantonal de la Persona Joven de Belén, pg. 11

2017-2018, Volunteer, The Field Museum of Natural History

2013-2014, Vice-President of local Youth Committee, Belén, Costa Rica

2011, Volunteer, Summer Program at Lubbock Lake Landmark

2010-2016, District Councilwoman, Belén Municipal Government, Costa Rica

Masters degree in Anthropology, University of Costa Rica, 2014
Bachelors degree in Anthropology, University of Costa Rica, 2010

2022    Presenter, Between culinary and consecrated: The use and management of turkeys (Meleagris sp.) in southern Greater Nicoya. Contributed paper. María López Rojas, Yahaira Núñez Cortés, Susan Monge Blanco, (Chairs), From the earth to the plate: Environment, resource procurement and foodways in the Isthmo-Colombian area [Symposium], Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Chicago, Illinois, USA (March 30 - April 3)

2021    Presenter, A Tropical Treasure Trove: Preliminary Assessment of Archaeological Faunal Remains from Culebra bay, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Contributed paper. Roberto Herrera & Yajaira Núñez Cortés (Chairs), Advances and New Perspectives in the Isthmo-Colombian Area [Symposium], Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, San Francisco, California, USA (April 15-17)

My current research focuses on the use and management of turkeys (Meleagris spp) along Pacific Greater Nicoya, Costa Rica, using ancient DNA and stable isotope analyses.