Research
I recently received my Ph.D. from the Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. My dissertation, entitled "A Paleoethnobotanical Study of Two Classic Maya Sites, El Perú-Waka’ and La Corona" focused on reconstructing ancient Maya plant use, in both ritual and domestic contexts, during the Late and Terminal Classic periods (A.D. 600-850).
As a paleoethnobotanist, I collect and analyze plant remains in order to reconstruct past plant use. The plant remains that are collected through flotation include carbonized pieces of wood, seeds, nuts, and fruits, among others. These can be considered macrobotanical remains, as they are mostly visible to the naked eye. Microbotanical analysis includes the study of plant remains that are not visible to the naked eye, and require powerful microscopes. Within this category, the study of pollen, phytoliths, and starch grains are included. As part of my dissertation, I looked at both macrobotanicals as well as starch grains collected from various artifacts.
As a paleoethnobotanist, I collect and analyze plant remains in order to reconstruct past plant use. The plant remains that are collected through flotation include carbonized pieces of wood, seeds, nuts, and fruits, among others. These can be considered macrobotanical remains, as they are mostly visible to the naked eye. Microbotanical analysis includes the study of plant remains that are not visible to the naked eye, and require powerful microscopes. Within this category, the study of pollen, phytoliths, and starch grains are included. As part of my dissertation, I looked at both macrobotanicals as well as starch grains collected from various artifacts.
Location of my Dissertation Fieldwork
Although I have worked on several projects around the world, I am currently focused on reconstructing ancient Maya plant use. I have spent several field seasons in the jungles of northwestern Petén, Guatemala. The two sites where I do my research at are La Corona and El Perú-Waka'. For more information on these archaeological sites, see below. You can also visit the PRALC website: http://mari.tulane.edu/PRALC/ and the Waka' Research Foundation website: http://archaeologywaka.org/
The Archaeological Sites
The sites of La Corona and El Perú-Waka' are located within a protected area, in the Laguna del Tigre National Park, which is part of the Maya Biosphere, the largest protected area in Central America. More information is available at: http://www.nature.org/ and http://www.wcs.org/
Both sites have complex histories of alliances and wars with other large sites in the region, including Calakmul and Tikal, and the sites are located along important trade routes connecting diverse resource-rich areas.
The site of La Corona (or Sak-Nikte' meaning White Flower), is a site where the the core and surrounding household groups are encircled by several lagoons (known locally as sibales). El Perú-Waka' is located on a steep escarpment, overlooking the San Pedro River, about 75 km west of Tikal. The site itself is expansive, consisting of about 1 km sq. of temple pyramids and plazas, and an even larger area of residences.
At these sites, the archaeological excavations and camp life is made possible by working together with dedicated local men and women from nearby communities.
Both sites have complex histories of alliances and wars with other large sites in the region, including Calakmul and Tikal, and the sites are located along important trade routes connecting diverse resource-rich areas.
The site of La Corona (or Sak-Nikte' meaning White Flower), is a site where the the core and surrounding household groups are encircled by several lagoons (known locally as sibales). El Perú-Waka' is located on a steep escarpment, overlooking the San Pedro River, about 75 km west of Tikal. The site itself is expansive, consisting of about 1 km sq. of temple pyramids and plazas, and an even larger area of residences.
At these sites, the archaeological excavations and camp life is made possible by working together with dedicated local men and women from nearby communities.
Photos taken at and around the sites
The Sounds of the Tropical Forest
A video to give you a feel for the forest around the sites of Perú-Waka' and La Corona. The loud noises are made by howler monkeys, which as the name implies, are extremely loud. The video was shot around El Perú-Waka' in 2012.