Oliver Antczak

Oliver Antczak is a Venezuelan-born anthropological archaeologist and Teaching Associate in Heritage Studies in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. He holds a BA in Anthropology & Archaeology from Leiden University (2016), an MPhil in Heritage and Museum Management from Cambridge (2018), and a PhD in Archaeology (Heritage Studies) from Cambridge (2024), funded by the Gates Cambridge Fellowship and UKRI.

Research Focus:

• Heritage Studies & museum practice
• Caribbean Indigenous identity and post-colonial heritage
• Material culture and socio-politics of the past
• Built environment, archaeological theory & field methods
• Heritage management & ethics

Regional Expertise: Extensive fieldwork across the Venezuelan Caribbean (Los Roques, La Tortuga, Margarita, Coche, Cubagua, Bonaire) and Martinique, collaborating with Indigenous communities such as the Guaiqueríes, Caquetíos and Santa Rosa First Peoples.

Key Projects:

• Gente de Mar: Margarita Indígena – co-directed transdisciplinary project integrating archaeology, anthropology, history, heritage and education on Margarita, Coche and Cubagua Islands.

Publications & Presentations: Author of scientific articles, book chapters, MA and PhD theses, and numerous conference presentations focusing on Indigenous identity, colonialism, heritage and archaeological practice in the Caribbean.

Laboratory & Institutional Affiliations: Associated with the Archaeological Studies Unit (Unidad de Estudios Arqueológicos) and collaborative networks across Cambridge, Leiden and Caribbean institutions.