About WAC-5

The Fifth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-5) was held in Washington, DC at the Catholic University of America on June 21st-June 26th, 2003. The WAC-5 organizers partnered with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History and National Museum of the American Indian in developing the program. WAC-5 is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization within the United States. Approximately 1200 participants from around the world attended.

The World Archaeological Congress is the only worldwide representative organization of practicing archaeologists. WAC holds a congress every four years in order to promote the exchange of archaeological research and data, and to provide a forum for dialogue and debate among and between archaeologists and other groups with genuine concerns about the past. WAC is based on the need to recognize the historical and social role and political context of archaeology and the need to make archaeological studies relevant to the wider community. It seeks to increase: professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nation peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.