Crow Canyon Archaeological Center presents “Excavating Querencia: Land Grant Archaeology in New Mexico” webinar by Dr. Kelly Jenks on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 4:00 pm (MDT). In northern New Mexico, “querencia” is a folk concept used to express a sense of longing for and belonging to a specific place. For many Spanish and Mexican land grant heirs, querencia is an essential part of cultural identity; heirs are defined by their connection to a shared homeland, which is the site and setting of their cultural heritage. In this talk, Dr. Jenks digs into the meaning of querencia by describing what has been learned through collaborative archaeological research on the Cañón de Carnué Land Grant. This project offers new insights into the histories connected with this land grant. It also challenges us to consider how we might apply the concept of querencia in our management of heritage sites.
Dr. Kelly Jenks is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the University Museum at New Mexico State University. She specializes in historical archaeology and is particularly interested in the relationship between everyday objects and identity in multicultural settings. Most of her research has focused on Spanish and Mexican-period land grant communities in New Mexico, including San Miguel del Vado and Cañón de Carnué.