2023 Field Season (June 2 - July 2)

At the beginning of the field season, we started off getting used to the work environment.  As Dr. Seligson gave us an overview of the site of Xanab Chak and what archaeological research looks like in the Puuc Region, we began to embrace our roles on the project. The first thing we did was to map a few platform groups in the northern part of the Xanab Chak valley. This involved taking measurements of the platforms and any structures that were visible on their surfaces. It was a bit difficult to differentiate the platforms and structures from natural outcrops of rock because many of the features were 2,500 years old and were not well-preserved. Once the mapping was done, we started taking note of the grid area where we would start planning our excavation. For the first week, it was a lot of hard work but we managed to finish the job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A neat little fact that Dr. Seligson showed us was how gopher mounds are great places to find ancient pottery. The gophers digs up a lot of dirt and along with the dirt they often "excavate" pieces of ceramic pottery. As we shuffled through the little mounds would find some pieces of ceramics that the gopher has managed to displace to the top. While walking between the different platform groups, we came across a couple of these gopher mounds along the forest floor. After a little while, we were able to train our eyes and started to see ceramic sherds everywhere as we walked through the forest.

 

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During this field season, each of us had an independent research project that we had planned out before arriving. For my project, I was going to be creating 3D digital images of artifacts and features through a process called photogrammetry. The 3D models could be used to create a digital catalogue that would make our findings accessible to a broader audience. I would be very excited if there are big pieces that could be scanned so others could be able to see them. So far, we have excavated a few pretty large pieces of ceramics. What I hope to finish at the end of the season is to have inspected and prepared 3D models for viewing. The whole process takes time when it comes to scanning and gaining the details of the object. I must also choose which "scene" to place the scanned artifacts into - I could go with the classic museum style, lab environment, or a natural environment. I prefer a nature theme for the scenes, so everyone can understand the context from which the artifacts were excavated. Once I have properly settled down and gotten things to work I plan on working with the past research material to create a 3D catalog and library.

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I hope to teach others who are interested in photogrammetry. With the research I am conducting, I hope to inspire others with the possibilities that it could offer to help people with their research. I plan on continuing this so others would be able to have easier access to create and 3D digitize their research. My goal is that future researchers will be able to conduct research on the objects that I am making available through my 3D digital library and to maybe add to it with artifacts from different areas that you would not normally be able to see without having to travel to the physical location. 

 

The facility where we are staying, the Millsaps Puuc Archaeological Research Comopund (MPARC) in Oxkutzcab, is a very nice place to conduct archeological research. It includes living quarters, a laboratory for research, a storage warehouse for research material, a kitchen/dining room, and a library for the community to use. There are also some fruit trees planted around the facility so that you can snack on limes or mangos whenever you want.f you are ever wanted to snack on limes or mangoes. Oxkutzcab is a fairly small town, but it has a big central market place, a few supermarkets, and some general stores that are close to the compound if you need to buy anything. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I have been enjoying my first week here in the Yucatan area, learning about the culture and the area. This is such a great opportunity to have a first-time archaeological field learning experience as an undergraduate student. you start off with learning the skills to about an archaeologist.