Maria Constanza Ceruti
Personal Information
Born: 1973
Country of Birth: Argentina
Nationality: Argentinian
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Education
University of Buenos Aires BA Anthropology 1996; National University of Cuyo PhD Anthropology 2001
""The ascent of high mountains demands considerable physical resistance, since the marching days are usually very long (sometimes more than twenty hours), on steep terrain and in extreme weather conditions. ... The high mountain environment is characterized by oxygen shortage, low atmospheric pressure, strong icy winds, snowfall and thunderstorms. The extreme cold freezes the batteries in the cameras and fingertips in a few seconds ... the wind flies from the pages of the notebook to the tents themselves ... the lack of oxygen affects the concentration and performance of the brain with decreases up to 50%, while the archaeologist's work requires a lot of concentration." (Wikipedia); "The mountains are always calling me." (atlas obscura) "Climb with a humble heart." (wingsworldquest)"
— Maria Constanza Ceruti
Professional Life
Field of Study: high-altitude archaeology; anthropologist; mountaineer
Institution/Corporation: Institute of High Mountain Investigations; Catholic University of Salta; National Geographic Society
Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: Moravian College (2014); Member: National Academy of Sciences of Buenos Aires (ANCBA 2019) Argentina Society of Anthropology; Association of Professional Archaeologists of Argentina; Society for American Archaeology; The Explorer Club of New York; Society of Women Geographers (2012); Wings Fellow
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2000 Golden Condor Honoris Causa, National Army of Argentina; 1997 Mountaineer of the Year; 2005 Emerging Explorer, National Geographic Society; 2006 Prince of Asturus Award, National Geographic Society; 2007 WINGS Women of Discovery Award for Courage; 2008 Academic Vocation Award, National conference on Vocation, Training & Employment in the Agentine Republic; 2010 Woman of the Year, Salta; 2011 Silver Clover Award, Rotary Club of Buenos Aires; 2017 Gold Medal Award, International Society of Women Geographers (ISWG); 1996 Gold Medal, University of buenos Aires
Achievements: is part of a National Geographic team; has completed over 80 field surveys in the Andean regions of South America especially sacred mountains around the world; 1st female in the world to work at a high-altitude archaeologist; studies Inca ceremonial centers on summits of andean peaks above 6000 meters; is a pioneer in the anthropological study of sacred mountains in over 20 countries around the world & in the emerging field of glacial archaeology;is a scientific researcher in the National Scientific & Technical Research council (CONICET) of Argentina; has climbed over 100 mountains above 5000 meters; has published over 25 books with 4 on High Mountain archaeology of the Andes
after receiving her PhD she lived in an adobe house near Pucora de Tilcara (a fortification built approximately 12th century AD by descendants of the Omaguaca people) for 5 years to manage a small museum & better understand village life & its connection to pre-Incan & Incan traditions
graduated from the University of buenos Aires with perfect grades
early in her career photographs showing her co-leading an expedition above 21,000 feet were omitted from a publication highlighting the project because "she looked like a teenage girl" & it was believed pictures of her would "make the work look easy." (atlas obscura)
is of Andean descent & believes mountaineering is in her blood
for over a decade the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM) where the mummies of the Children of Llullaillaco are housed refused to acknowledge her major part in their discovery but now a small sign lists her role in the expedition
her hobbies are photography, poetry, & learning indigenous languages