The 2024 Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Project (MGAP) was a bit shorter than the 2023 season, but we were able to accomplish so much! Similar to last season, the staff spent a week at the site before the students arrived. During this time, we un-backfilled (my new favorite word) some units from 2023, then came up with a game plan for the season!
Once the students arrived, we worked in the field in the morning, then we spent the afternoons doing lab work, including washing and cataloging the artifacts recovered from the field each day. We did this for about two weeks before we ended the season.
First, we reopened the 2023 units on Structure 14. Then, a new unit was opened between the two to see how the two units may or may not be related to each other, especially in regard to the large rocks found in each (you can read more about that here!). Our team (Panos Kratimenos and Chloë Ward) were then able to take enough photos to create a 3D rendering. In addition to understanding the relationship of the rocks between units, we were able to discuss some potential ways in which the Maya were producing salt. Keep an eye out for this season's technical report to learn more!
Once the students arrived, we worked in the field in the morning, then we spent the afternoons doing lab work, including washing and cataloging the artifacts recovered from the field each day. We did this for about two weeks before we ended the season.
First, we reopened the 2023 units on Structure 14. Then, a new unit was opened between the two to see how the two units may or may not be related to each other, especially in regard to the large rocks found in each (you can read more about that here!). Our team (Panos Kratimenos and Chloë Ward) were then able to take enough photos to create a 3D rendering. In addition to understanding the relationship of the rocks between units, we were able to discuss some potential ways in which the Maya were producing salt. Keep an eye out for this season's technical report to learn more!
After the season ended, the MGAP staff went to Belize Archaeology Symposium, where we met old friends and new! I presented my updates regarding microbotanical remains found in dental calculus from individuals from Actun Kabul, Belize. You can read a bit more about that here!
You can learn more about the 2024 field season through these publications:
Technical reports:
1. Graham, E., G. Wrobel, P. Kratimenos, Karen Pierce, A. Marshall, S. Lingham, C. Ward, S. Duckworth, R. LaLonde, K. Cabrera (forthcoming). Report on the 2024 Investigations at Marco Gonzalez. Institute of Archaeology, Belmopan, Belize.
Technical reports:
1. Graham, E., G. Wrobel, P. Kratimenos, Karen Pierce, A. Marshall, S. Lingham, C. Ward, S. Duckworth, R. LaLonde, K. Cabrera (forthcoming). Report on the 2024 Investigations at Marco Gonzalez. Institute of Archaeology, Belmopan, Belize.