From the Ground Up – Preclassic Construction Methods, Excavations, and Floors in the Cival/Holmul region.
with Kaitlin Ahern,Ph.D, Research Associate, University at Buffalo
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00 PM EDT
This lecture discusses construction material, lime plaster, and floors acquired from various excavations from the Holmul region in northern Guatemala. These basic building blocks of ancient Maya structures can provide surprising insight into the development of various construction technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on the author’s excavations at the ancient Maya sites of Cival and East Witzna. The presentation begins with a brief description of each site location and regional geography, then an examination of the construction of several Preclassic period pyramids.
Kaitlin R. Ahern is a recent Ph.D. graduate from the University at Buffalo (May 2020), where she currently works as Research Associate. She has spent multiple field seasons working with the Holmul Archaeological Project and recently published an article on lime plaster floors in the Holmul region. She also appeared in an episode of Lost Treasures of the Maya on National Geographic in 2019.