Minanha Regional Settlement Survey
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The research takes place in an historically important locale that is one of the least explored areas of Belize, Central America. Minanha, a site J.E.S. Thompson (1931) judged significant seventy years ago, has only been recently rediscovered in west-central Belize (click here to see Belize map). The site core (click here to Minanha site core map)(Joyce et al. 1927) is positioned on the eastern frontier of the Peten region between many important sites.
   

The Minanha region lies at the juncture of three contrasting ecological and geographic zones, all as recognizably distinct in ancient times as they are today. The El Peten zone is to the west and northwest, the karstic Vaca Plateau leading to the Maya Mountains lies to the south, and the vast coastal plains extend to the east and northeast (click here to see study area map)(Iannone 1999).

   
The MRS is a truly multidisciplinary project geared toward understanding not only the past but the present. Using state-of-the-art global positioning and geographic information systems, the settlement and landscape will be examined at a variety of scales and from numerous perspectives -- past and present. We want to answer questions such as, how did the ancient Maya manage this biodiversity, or did they? What agricultural pursuits were successful and what failed? And is that why they collapsed? Working with local archaeologists, we will not only learn about past geological processes and biodiversity, but also hear stories related to the history of logging and chicle harvesting on the Vaca Plateau. Join us for the experience of a lifetime! (see schedule).

Contact Samuel Connell or Ted Neff
Co-Directors Minanha Regional Survey

Web Site Design by Linda Neff


Jointly sponsored by SARP and
College of Extended of Learning, CSU Northridge