This paper explores the approaches and challenges associated with conducting ethnoarchaeological research among the Himalayan pastoralists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ethnoarchaeology is the study of the material culture of contemporary cultures to comprehend its relationship to the archaeological record. The pastoralists of the Himalayas are an ideal group for ethnoarchaeological study as they possess a rich material culture and a profound understanding of their environment.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has made fieldwork in this region challenging. This paper examines the difficulties posed by the pandemic, including travel limitations, restricted access to research sites, and safety concerns for researchers and local residents. In addition, it describes the strategies and adaptations used to overcome these challenges, including remote data collecting and virtual communication.
The paper then discusses the methodologies adopted, which include participant observation, interviews, and the collection of material culture. It also examines the difficulties and limitations of these methods, such as language barriers and restricted access to border regions. The paper concludes by presenting the key findings of the research, which indicate that Himalayan pastoralists have a profound grasp of their environment and material culture that has evolved over generations. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between human societies and their environment and highlight the importance of ethnoarchaeological research in documenting and preserving cultural heritage.
