Fajina Archaeology Outreach has produced, published, and distributed three variations of a trilin... more Fajina Archaeology Outreach has produced, published, and distributed three variations of a trilingual (English, Spanish, Yucatec Maya) children's book called To the Mountain! to promote archaeological and cultural heritage in Belize. The story is coauthored by archaeologists Sylvia Batty, Rebecca Friedel, and Leah McCurdy. To the Mountain! follows two ancient Maya kids, Little Moon and Running Jaguar, on an adventure to ancient Katyaatz Witz (Clay Mountain), today known as Xunantunich, near San José Succotz, Belize. This is the first archaeologically-inspired storybook written specifically for Belizeans. The text incorporates archaeologically accurate information about the locations in the story. Additionally, the book highlights significant plants and animals in the illustrations and an interactive " Did You Spot It? " game. We printed and distributed full color, trilingual versions to children in Grades 2 – 6 and coloring book versions to children in preschool, kindergarten, and Grade 1. We also published the full version as an e-book and made it available online for free. We are currently in the process of creating an audiobook as well as raising funds for a second printing to expand our distribution to other communities in Belize. Our website is http://fajinaoutreach.org/tothemountain
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a var... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a variety of surveys have assessed the impacts of the pandemic in other fields, few studies have focused on understanding the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic for archaeology. To assess these trends, we asked survey respondents (n = 570) if they experienced job loss and to rate the percentage of change in their economic situation, workload, teaching or research activities, and personal responsibilities. Results show alarming trends, with nearly half of those who experienced job loss being under the age of 35 and women and early career archaeologists suffering major economic losses. Impacts to workload, teaching activities, and research activities were also felt across these groups. Substantial increases in personal responsibilities (childcare, eldercare, caring for sick family members) were also identified, especially for women with children under 18 years of age. While structural...
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a var... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a variety of surveys have assessed the impacts of the pandemic in other fields, few studies have focused on understanding the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic for archaeology. To assess these trends, we asked survey respondents (n = 570) if they experienced job loss and to rate the percentage of change in their economic situation, workload, teaching or research activities, and personal responsibilities. Results show alarming trends, with nearly half of those who experienced job loss being under the age of 35 and women and early career archaeologists suffering major economic losses. Impacts to workload, teaching activities, and research activities were also felt across these groups. Substantial increases in personal responsibilities (childcare, eldercare, caring for sick family members) were also identified, especially for women with children under 18 years of age. While structural inequalities have already been identified across different sectors of archaeology, the results of this survey suggest the most vulnerable populations are those most heavily affected. We recommend a variety of strategies for employers, professional organizations, funding agencies, and publishers to consider in mitigating the consequences of COVID-19, especially for women and early career scholars.
The Mopan Valley Archaeological Project investigates the social, political, and economic complexi... more The Mopan Valley Archaeological Project investigates the social, political, and economic complexity of the Mopan River valley, with special attention paid to the shifting relationship between Xunantunich and Buenavista. In 2011, we began excavations in and around the West Acropolis, the likely residence and administrative center for the polity’s ruling family. In this paper, we present a brief synthesis of MVAP’s results since 2007. We then present the results of two seasons of field efforts in the West Acropolis, paying special attention to its construction history and regulation of access to different spaces within the complex. We offer tentative interpretations of these data in light of Buenavista’s long history on the Mopan valley landscape, its rulers’ ability to maintain a large and integrated polity, and enduring competition with other centers in the valley.
Fajina Archaeology Outreach has produced, published, and distributed three variations of a trilin... more Fajina Archaeology Outreach has produced, published, and distributed three variations of a trilingual (English, Spanish, Yucatec Maya) children's book called To the Mountain! to promote archaeological and cultural heritage in Belize. The story is coauthored by archaeologists Sylvia Batty, Rebecca Friedel, and Leah McCurdy. To the Mountain! follows two ancient Maya kids, Little Moon and Running Jaguar, on an adventure to ancient Katyaatz Witz (Clay Mountain), today known as Xunantunich, near San José Succotz, Belize. This is the first archaeologically-inspired storybook written specifically for Belizeans. The text incorporates archaeologically accurate information about the locations in the story. Additionally, the book highlights significant plants and animals in the illustrations and an interactive " Did You Spot It? " game. We printed and distributed full color, trilingual versions to children in Grades 2 – 6 and coloring book versions to children in preschool, kindergarten, and Grade 1. We also published the full version as an e-book and made it available online for free. We are currently in the process of creating an audiobook as well as raising funds for a second printing to expand our distribution to other communities in Belize. Our website is http://fajinaoutreach.org/tothemountain
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a var... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a variety of surveys have assessed the impacts of the pandemic in other fields, few studies have focused on understanding the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic for archaeology. To assess these trends, we asked survey respondents (n = 570) if they experienced job loss and to rate the percentage of change in their economic situation, workload, teaching or research activities, and personal responsibilities. Results show alarming trends, with nearly half of those who experienced job loss being under the age of 35 and women and early career archaeologists suffering major economic losses. Impacts to workload, teaching activities, and research activities were also felt across these groups. Substantial increases in personal responsibilities (childcare, eldercare, caring for sick family members) were also identified, especially for women with children under 18 years of age. While structural...
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a var... more The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts in all segments of life worldwide. While a variety of surveys have assessed the impacts of the pandemic in other fields, few studies have focused on understanding the short- and long-term impacts of the pandemic for archaeology. To assess these trends, we asked survey respondents (n = 570) if they experienced job loss and to rate the percentage of change in their economic situation, workload, teaching or research activities, and personal responsibilities. Results show alarming trends, with nearly half of those who experienced job loss being under the age of 35 and women and early career archaeologists suffering major economic losses. Impacts to workload, teaching activities, and research activities were also felt across these groups. Substantial increases in personal responsibilities (childcare, eldercare, caring for sick family members) were also identified, especially for women with children under 18 years of age. While structural inequalities have already been identified across different sectors of archaeology, the results of this survey suggest the most vulnerable populations are those most heavily affected. We recommend a variety of strategies for employers, professional organizations, funding agencies, and publishers to consider in mitigating the consequences of COVID-19, especially for women and early career scholars.
The Mopan Valley Archaeological Project investigates the social, political, and economic complexi... more The Mopan Valley Archaeological Project investigates the social, political, and economic complexity of the Mopan River valley, with special attention paid to the shifting relationship between Xunantunich and Buenavista. In 2011, we began excavations in and around the West Acropolis, the likely residence and administrative center for the polity’s ruling family. In this paper, we present a brief synthesis of MVAP’s results since 2007. We then present the results of two seasons of field efforts in the West Acropolis, paying special attention to its construction history and regulation of access to different spaces within the complex. We offer tentative interpretations of these data in light of Buenavista’s long history on the Mopan valley landscape, its rulers’ ability to maintain a large and integrated polity, and enduring competition with other centers in the valley.
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