The Centre for Mesoamerican, Amazonian and Andean Studies was founded in mid-2000 by postgraduate students from the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the History Department at the University of São Paulo (CEMA-USP). Since then, the research centre’s main objective has been to enable and encourage academic research on the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and the Central Andean Region in Brazil, especially from the pre-Columbian and colonial periods, as well as to promote a dialogue with researchers studying other regions of the continent. During these two decades of activity this dialogue has been very fruitful, especially with studies on the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, which have gained more space CEMA’s activities. At the same time, within CEMA itself, studies on the indigenous peoples of the Central Andean Region and Mesoamerica have always reflected critically on the limitations of the traditional division of indigenous America into rigidly defined cultural areas. The result of this process is that, from 2023 onwards, the CEMA-USP decided to reflect this internal reality in its name, renaming itself as the Centre for Mesoamerican, Amazonian and Andean Studies (CEMAA).

    In addition to the studies and research carried out by its members, CEMAA organises several activities open to all. It includes, for example, the History, Archaeology and Anthropology of Indigenous America Colloquia, the CEMAA Conversations as well as various research groups: (1) Mesoamerican codices and the Nahuatl language, (2) Quechua language, (3) indigenous history and anthropology and (4) Andes and the Amazon. More information on the activities carried out or in progress can be found in the History and Activities sections of this website.

    CEMAA is currently coordinated by Cristiana Bertazoni Martins, Eduardo Natalino dos Santos, Guilherme Bianchi Moreira and Vinicius Soares de Lima. CEMAA/USP also relies on the participation of other effective members, as well as the co-operation of researchers, collaborating professors, visiting researchers and trainees. A list of these essential partners and their CVs can be found in the Scientific Production section.