MAYA EXPLORATION CENTER SPRING 2010 AA RCHAEORCHAEOMM AYAAYA The Newsletter of Maya Exploration Center www.mayaexploration.org In This Issue: MEC Partners with AIA for Site Preservation • MEC ‘s partnership On April 28, the Archaeologi- with AIA cal Institute of America held a gala dinner in New York City • New howler monkey on behalf of its Site Preserva- research in Tabasco tion Program. The evening featured a grand Peruvian • Teotihuacan’s ties feast and live auction in sup- with Tikal affirmed port of preservation efforts around the world. MEC do- • Albright College in nated a trip for two to the Chiapas and Peten auction and Dr. Kirk French represented MEC as an hon- • New fashions in ored guest of Archaeology, Maya weaving AIA’s superb popular maga- zine. • Three day seminar on AIA is the oldest and largest MEC’s Kirk French and Laurel Pearson at the AIA Charity Gala in NYC Maya Mathematics archaeological organization in North America, with over 200,000 mem- eruption of Chichonal in 1986, and since then, • A big change at Chichen Itza bers in the United States, Canada, and the stones are eroding under the steady fall of overseas who are devoted to archaeology acid rain. Yaxchilan and Piedras Negras are • Summer tours and to fostering a deeper public under- threatened by a proposed hydroelectric dam, standing of ancient cultures and civiliza- which will flood these and dozens of “lost On The Horizon: tions around the world. Through its in- cities” along the Usumacinta River. Other ternational research centers, the non- Maya sites suffer the perils of tourist hype. profit organization supports archaeologi- Chichen Itza, declared one of the new “Seven • MEC travels to the cal studies and promotes sound archaeo- Wonders of the World”, receives thousands American Southwest logical practices in the field. of visitors a day, far too many for authorities and Angkor Wat AIA is a leading advocate for the pro- to handle. The potential damage, huge under tection and preservation of the world’s normal circumstances, is aggravated by • Community service archaeological heritage. In every nation, crowds attending rock concerts bathed by the work in Peru archaeological sites are besieged by loot- psychedelic lights illuminating the great El ing, vandalism, increased tourism, and Castillo pyramid. • Thanksgiving tour to environmental change. Maya ruins are no Bringing in Elton John and Paul McCartney Palenque and Tikal exception. Wholesale looting and vandal- is a good example of what not to do. AIA • Fall Lecture Series - ism of unprotected sites in the rainforest provides funds for innovative projects that pose a chronic threat to artifacts and not only preserve archaeological sites, but Misunderstanding monuments, and a genuine danger to also educate the local community and the 2012 archaeologists working in remote areas of public at large about the site’s significance for the jungle. Nature is another force to be humanity. • New discoveries about reckoned with. Palenque’s exquisite stuc- ...continued on page 3 Maya geometry cos and murals were devastated by the PAGE 2 ARCHAEOMAYA Letter from the Director MEC Board When the world diverse, is a team effort, and we strive to Chairman finds itself in give aid in proportion to the support we Edwin L. Barnhart tough economic receive. Treasurer times, the role of Blair Duncan This edition of ArchaeoMaya reports on Officers non-profit organi- important new discoveries at Teotihua- Fred Barnhart zations like Maya can. You’ll also learn the latest on MEC Harold Green Exploration Cen- board member LeAndra Luecke’s investi- LeAndra Luecke ter becomes ever gation of howler monkeys in the wetlands Charles C. Williams more vital. Despite our own financial of Tabasco. Our chief editor Carol Karasik challenges, MEC continues to support presents a new view on Maya textiles, Research Associates research, education, and cultural pres- inspired by her work with Chip Morris on Mark Child ervation. On behalf of Maya high his forthcoming book, A Guide to Maya James Eckhardt school students, we are sending 10 lap- Textiles of the Chiapas Highlands. A review Kirk French tops to the Yashalum dormitories in of Travelers to the Other World tells the in- Michael Grofe Yajalon, Chiapas. As you’ll read in this Carol Karasik credible story of two Zinacantec Maya Alonso Mendez edition’s lead article, we have made a men who traveled through the United Alfonso Morales donation to Archaeology magazine’s States in the 1960s. As always, you’ll read Walter F. Morris program for historic site preservation. about our most recent study abroad pro- Christopher Powell In early May, Christopher Powell will gram and the great experiences had by Kirk Straight lead Simpson College students to the our latest batch of student explorers. remote Quechua communities of This summer offers exciting new ways MEC Staff Huancarani and Piscohuata, to feed that you can benefit from MEC’s work – people cut off by mudslides in the Sa- Director new educational tours, a Maya seminar Edwin L. Barnhart cred Valley. The food program is being on the campus of University of Texas at organized in conjunction with San Jose Austin, and new ePublications for the Editors Hogar de Niños Transitorios in fast-growing world of digital reading de- Cuzco. Simpson students will also be Edwin L. Barnhart vices. Whether you join one of our learn- serving in the Hogar soup kitchen, Carol Karasik ing adventures, support our research which feeds over 450 homeless chil- through donations, or broaden your hori- Contact MEC dren every day. zons by reading our publications, each This year MEC provided a travel United States and every one of you who reads this 7301 Ranch Road 620 N grant for Carl Calloway’s investigation newsletter is a vital part of our growing Suite 155 #284 into the origins of the Maya calendar community. Thanks for your support! Austin, Texas 78726 and supplied video equipment for Kirk Phone: 512-350-3321 French’s documentary, “Land and Wa- ter Revisited.” Our research, though Mexico El Panchan Apartado Postal 142 The 2010 Chautauqua Program Palenque, Chiapas 29960, Mexico Come on a learning adventure with Dr. Edwin Barnhart On the Web and be part of MEC’s on-going research on ancient sciences. www.mayaexploration.org Email This summer’s new destinations are: [email protected] Chaco Canyon • Copan • Angkor, Cambodia Contents of this newsletter © 2010 Maya Exploration Center, Inc. To learn more just click on this link or visit All rights reserved. www.mayaexploration.org/tours.php PAGE 3 ARCHAEOMAYA Albright’s Adventure in the Mundo Maya It was the first time any of the students at Albright ever visited Mexico and Guatemala, and they were really up for all kinds of new adventures. They saw the giant Ol- mec heads at La Venta (“Wow!”) and then headed for the jungle and the mysterious land of the Maya. (“Did you see that gecko? Did you see that giant spider?”) They traveled to Palenque, Bonampak, and the huge site of Ti- kal, then cruised down the Usumacinta River to the ruins of Yaxchilan. Every night, Christopher Powell gave another lecture: Maya history, Maya geometry, Maya mathematics, Maya astronomy. “He knows a lot of cool stuff. He’d sit down and talk and answer everyone’s questions.” And then everyone was standing under the stars, and The crew from Albright in Villahermosa, Mexico Chris was pointing out the Maya constellations, and there was Venus and there was Orion, and the bugs out there “I can't say enough about the wonderful time all of us had on were wicked, but nobody seemed to mind, because every- the trip. The students have been talking animatedly about it one was sort of on another wave length, thinking or ever since our return. Their encounter with Southern Mexico dreaming and definitely floating off through time and and Guatemala made a huge impact, not just on their knowl- space, and it was just like being a Maya in ancient times . edge of ancient Maya culture, but on their broader perspec- That part was awesome! tives on life. Christopher's insights, enthusiasm, and intelligence im- pressed everyone. I have seen students and professors intel- “Chris was the best guide we could have had. He was knowl- lectually sparked by an animated speaker or an interesting edgeable, helpful, and patient, and everyone connected with idea. But I have rarely seen a group of people emotionally him. Chris was a huge contribution to making our trip fun and moved by such an encounter. I believe it is in part due to full of information and adventure, We could not have asked for Christopher's passion and depth of knowledge about the a better guide. I appreciated the time he took by sitting down Maya, past and present.” and talking and answering my questions after our lectures.” Elizabeth W. Kiddy, Ph.D. Tara Haney Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Student Associate Professor of History Albright College Albright College MEC Partners with AIA…(continued from page 1) For AIA, educating people about the importance of archaeological discovery is the key to human enrichment. It does so through tours, talks, and special programs, such as the lecture series designed for army troops being de- ployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, birthplace of our earliest civilizations. But AIA’s main avenue for educating large audiences is through its award-winning publication, Archaeology, which enjoys a readership of 750,000 worldwide. The magazine has extended special recognition to MEC for our efforts to educate students and the public through study abroad courses, intensive educational tours, lectures, and media presentations; our non-invasive research studies in Maya astronomy, mathematics, and hydrology; and our detailed mapping surveys of architectural remains.