Biography
Oliver is a Venezuelan and Polish anthropologist and archaeologist interested in the intersection between heritage and identity, particularly in the Caribbean. He received his B.A. from Leiden University College (2016), focusing on Margarita island, Venezuela and the Guaiquerí who have maintained a strong identity though five centuries of colonialism. For his MPhil at the University of Cambridge (2018), he continued this work with the Caquetío on Bonaire, who maintain a strong indigenous identity despite most locals believing they no longer exist. In 2019, he worked for the Cultural Ministry of the Government of Bonaire. His current PhD expands on his previous work with more case-studies of indigenous identity in the Caribbean to deliver data on how identity and heritage are managed and maintained in these (post)colonial contexts. Oliver is also involved in graphic design and entrepreneurship.
Research
Oliver’s research interests focus on the intersections between heritage and identity in the Caribbean and Northern South America. Specifically, how present processes of heritage and identity formation, particularly indigenous identities, are distinct and still affected by colonialism. He hopes to contribute to the unravelling of the legacies of colonialism in identity formation processes in the region to better understand the impact of the destruction and transformation of heritage/identity worldwide.
Key Publications
Antczak, A. T., Antczak, M., Antczak, O., & Buffet, L. (2019). "Rancherías: Historical Archaeology of Early Colonial Campsites on Margarita and Coche Islands, Venezuela". In Rancherías: Historical Archaeology of Early Colonial Campsites on Margarita and Coche Islands, Venezuela. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004273689_008
Antczak, O. (2018). Unpicking a Feeling: Interrogating the role of heritage in indigenous collective identity formation on the Caribbean island of Bonaire (Masters thesis). https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.31764
Antczak, A. Ma. M. Antczak, Sébastien Perrot-Minnot, Konrad A. Antczak et Oliver A. Antczak. (2016) “Rapport général des prospections archéologiques des îlets Madame, Chancel, Frégate, Long, Métrente et Thierry, Martinique.” Bilan Scientifique. Fort-de-France: Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication.
Teaching and Supervisions
Supervisor: Dr. Dacia Viejo-Rose
Advisor: Dr. Johnhenry Gonzalez
