Belize Valley Archaeological
Reconnaissance Project
Fieldwork Opportunities
In 2012 BVAR will be hosting its 24th summer field school. As in 2011, our field work will continue investigations at the ancient Maya sites of Cahal Pech, Baking Pot and Lower Dover. These major Belize Valley sites are located on the outskirts of the modern town of San Ignacio, capital of the Cayo District of Belize, Central America
(click here for a location map and general info on Belize).
Cahal Pech, Baking Pot and Lower Dover are among the largest prehistoric Maya sites in the upper Belize River Valley and served as the capitals to small kingdoms in the Classic period (c. AD 250-900). BVAR excavations at Cahal Pech have revealed that this site is the location of some of the earliest Maya settlements in the Maya lowlands. First settled around 1200 B.C., the site was continuously occupied until the 10th century A.D. Despite many years of investigations at Baking Pot, large portions of the monumental site core remain unexcavated and sections of the settlement area remain unexplored. Lower Dover, in contrast, is a recently discovered site and investigations here are only just beginning.
During the 2012 season, BVAR will continue its settlement research agenda with extensive excavation of household groups at Baking Pot. This research will complement ongoing and past research in the monumental core of this site, providing a balanced view of social change across socioeconomic groups. Our research at Lower Dover will focus on the monumental architecture in the site core in an effort to determine the developmental history of this center. The investigations at Cahal Pech will focus primarily on the monumental architecture of the site core in an effort to elucidate the status and complexity of this centre during the Early to Terminal Classic periods.
Since 2007, BVAR has been conducting extensive settlement research in the Belize Valley in an area that extends from the confluence of the Macal and Mopan Rivers to approximately 30 miles downstream (Belize River). This research has focused on surveying the entire site of Baking Pot (nine square kilometers centered on the monumental epicenter) and the excavation of a 20% sample of house groups, in order to gain a perspective on demographic changes associated with the establishment and decline of the site over time. In addition, BVAR's regional survey continues within the Belize Valley, recording sites and archaeological features over an area of nearly 100 square kilometers.
During the 2012 season, BVAR will continue complementing its settlement research agenda with the excavations of house mound groups at all three sites. The investigations will include extensive stratigraphic excavations, testing of architecture by means of test-pitting, trenching and horizontal exploration, as well as mapping of the archaeological features and architectural remains uncovered. Students will be involved in all aspects of the archaeological investigations, from the setting of excavation units to the production of site maps. The project also incorporates daily laboratory work where students participate in the processing and inventorying of the artifacts recovered from the site (including a range of ceramic and lithic artifacts as well as human and animal remains). Weekly lectures will present an overview of Maya civilization and will provide introductions to other specific topics such as ceramic typology, archaeological survey methods, human osteology, and Maya ritual and ideology.
Affiliation:
|
The BVAR excavations and field program operates under the auspices of the Belize Institute of Archaeology (IOA). The IOA is a branch of Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), and the institution responsible for the management, preservation and sustainable development of Belize's rich and diverse archaeological heritage. It has been active since its founding in 1955 (in its former guise as the Department of Archaeology). The institute also has academic affiliation with the University of Montana, Galen University, and the University of Indianapolis |
Facilities:
The cost of the field school covers weekly room and board. Accommodation during the work week is provided by hotel/lodge facilities in the town of San Ignacio. Rooms will also be provided for students choosing not to travel during the weekends. Daily meals consist primarily of local fare.
|
|
Travel:
Travel to and from the archaeological site is provided on a daily basis. No work is conducted on weekends and thus no transportation is provided on Saturdays and Sundays. At the start of each session attendees will also be greeted at the International airport in Belize City and shuttled to our headquarters in San Ignacio, the capital of the Cayo District (see
map here). Those wishing to make alternate travel plans to San Ignacio may do so, providing they arrive in time for the start of the session.
Travel to and from Belize forms part of the incidental expenses of the participant. In addition, we help to organize optional weekend tours with local travel agents and tour guides to the important sites of Caracol in western Belize and Tikal in neighboring Guatemala. Over the long weekend in the third week of each session, students traditionally also take a trip to the island Cayes (pronounced "Keys") along Belize's Caribbean coast. This optional trip, however, is not covered by the fees and students who to take this opportunity to explore other parts of Belize, or neighboring Mexico and Guatemala must do so at their own expense.
|
Lectures:
Several lectures are given as part of the field school curriculum and students will be assessed by the content of their field notebooks as well as written exams. Informal on-site lectures will include an introduction to site reconnaissance, survey, excavation unit set-up, and the mapping of archaeological features in section and in plan view. Formal lectures given during the work week will include an overview and introduction to Maya prehistory, spanning from the Paleoindian phase to the Late Postclassic / early Colonial period. Specific thematic lectures will focus on architecture, ceramic remains, osteology, and hieroglyphic writing. Lab sessions will cover basic finds processing and inventory as well as preliminary artifact analyses. Based on interest we can accommodate lectures on artifact illustration. Students are advised that they will be expected to keep up with required reading and will have to bring the course notebook to the field with them to read at the end of the workday.
In addition, this year the 10th Annual Belize Archaeology Symposium will be held from the 27th through the 29th of June (the week between sessions). Students have the option of attending this event at their own expense. This is an ideal way to gain a good perspective on the archaeology that has taken place in Belize during the course of the previous year. These presentations allow you to be one of the first to find out about the newest interpretations and discoveries made in Belizean archaeology. Participation costs are incidental and details will be posted once these become available.
|
Notice!
Please
read carefully before you consider filling out our application.
Thank you for your interest in our project.
| |
|
• |
|
|
All
applicants must be at least 18 years old and in sufficient
good health to deal with the rigors of this project. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
Field
archaeology is physically, emotionally and mentally
challenging. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
It
is imperative that applicants be prepared to meet
these challenges. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
Registration
fees cover weekly lodgings, weekday meals, as well
as transportation to and from the site. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
Travel
to and from Belize as well as other incidental expenses
are the responsibility of the participant. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
• |
|
|
The minimum length of stay is two weeks (for pedagogical
and logistical reasons). |
Further
details are provided in the application form (click
here).
|
Available Programs
Participation on the
BVAR project can take a number of forms. Which one suits
your needs and time constraints?
Option
One - 4 Weeks
This option is designed for extensive exposure to archaeological methods and techniques. This option spans over a four week duration and includes extensive training in archaeological field techniques: reconnaissance, survey, excavation, and artifact processing. This option forms a complete curriculum including all lectures, site tours and written exams. This option is suitable for enthusiasts seeking in-depth exposure to archaeological field experience.
Session 1: 28 May to 22 June, 2012
Session 2: 2 to 27 July, 2012
Cost: $2100.00 USD
Option
Two - 2 Weeks
This
option forms a basic introduction to field research techniques
and spans the first two weeks of either session. All the
introductory lectures to archaeological methods and most
site tours are provided during the first two weeks of each
session. For those wishing to get a good "feel" for how
archaeology works in a short period of time, this option
is ideal. Academic credit is available for the two-week program.
Session 1: 28 May to 8 June, 2012
Session 2: 2 to 13 July, 2012
Cost: $1050.00 USD
Option
Three - Customized
If you are interested in a customized stay with the project, submit your proposed dates of stay with your application. All stays must be for a minimum of two weeks in order to include a solid introduction to archaeological methods before proceeding to the field component. In addition, all customized stays are by week-long increments over the course of the field season. Please note that the 23rd through 30th of June is our week off between sessions, and therefore is not available as part of the 'Customized' Option
Session(s):
A combination of week-long increments between 28 May and 27 July, 2012. (Note that the week of 23 through 30 June is not available)
Cost: Variable (at a cost of $525.00 USD per week)
Information
For
more information on BVAR please contact us:
Late
Classic figurine fragment
from Xunantunich.
Drawing by G. Valenzuela.
|
|
