Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Archeology in Belize
A wealth of new material on the Maya has been unveiled by archeologists in
Belize over the last couple of decades. As it emerged from siege by foreign
expeditions and looters, the country has now taken control of its own
archeological heritage. At least sixteen archeological teams visit Belize
annually, some studying the extensive raised-field agriculture and irrigation
canals in northern Belize, as well as the oldest known site so far found in the
Maya world, at Cuello, near Orange Walk. Even Tikal in Guatemala, once
thought to have been the centre of power of the lowland Maya, is now
known to have been toppled by Caracol, the largest Maya city in Belize.
The ancient Maya sites of Belize began to be studied in the late nineteenth century,
when British amateur archeologists and both British and
American
museums
kept up a
lively interest in artefacts. Preservation of monuments was not yet “in”, and techniques
were far from subtle. In some cases dynamite was used, and Belizean artefacts often
found their way, unmonitored, into museums and private collections worldwide.
Since 1894 Belize's ancient monuments and antiquities have had loose legislation to
protect them, but it was not until 1957 that the Belize Department of Archaeology
(now called the
Institute of Archaeology
) was formed to excavate, protect and preserve
these remains. Since then, excavation of hundreds of sites has been carried out by
FIELD SCHOOLS AND PROJECTS
Many sites in Belize accept paying students (and often non-students): the average two- to
four-week stint at a field school costs US$1100-2600. It's fascinating work, but be prepared for
sometimes tough conditions. In addition to the projects listed below, it's also worth contacting
the
National Institute of Culture and History (
NICH;
W
nichbelize.com), which may have
information on current archeological digs. Also, it's worth looking at the Archaeological
Institute of America's website (
W
archaeological.org), or checking out
Archaeology Magazine
(
W
archaeology.org). Additionally, the websites
W
mesoweb.com and
W
famsi.org (Foundation
for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies) have useful links.
Belize Fieldwork Program of Boston University
Undertakes research at La Milpa, in the
northwest (see p.78) and Xibun, in Cayo. Highly regarded programmes. See
W
bu.edu
/archaeology.
Belize River Archaeological Settlement Survey (BRASS)
Working in the Belize River valley
(see p.139) since 1983 and at El Pilar (see p.144) since 1993. Focuses on the El Pilar
Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna, emphasizing forest gardens, ceramics,
drafting, computers and photography. Contact the MesoAmerican Research Center, University
of California, Santa Barbara (
W
marc.ucsb.edu)
Blue Creek Archaeological Project of the Maya Research Program (MRP)
Conducting
excavations at Blue Creek in northwestern Belize for several decades to better understand its
role in the region. See
W
mayaresearchprogram.org.
Minanha Archaeology Project
Social Archaeology Research Program (SARP), Trent University,
Canada. Focuses on ancient Maya sociopolitical interaction at Minanha, on the Vaca plateau in
Cayo - between Caracol and Naranjo. See
W
trentu.ca/anthropology/belize.php.
University of Texas Mesoamerican Archaeological Research Laboratory
In partnership
with the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project, undertakes research at Rio Bravo in
northern Belize. Contact Mesoamerican Archaeological Research Laboratory at University of
Texas at Austin,
W
utexas.edu/cola/orgs/mesolab/contact.php
