After the Volcano Erupted: Papers in Honor of Payson Sheets (Part 2)

Payson Sheets has led research at the UNESCO World Heritage Maya site of Ceren, El Salvador since its discovery in 1978, as well as a variety of projects throughout Meso- and Central America. The contributions of Sheets' work have wide-ranging methodological and theoretical impacts throughout archaeology. Symposium participants contribute presentations of their original research in areas influenced by Payson’s work and highlight the extensive contributions of his research across the discipline. These papers tie together important aspects of reconstructing the past, such as the application of remote sensing to archaeology, the impacts of ancient natural disasters on human populations, the daily lives of commoners, advances in household archaeology, and progress in stone tool manufacture, production, and meanings. Holistic interpretations of the importance and contributions of all members of ancient societies, particularly commoners, have characterized Payson’s influences on the field and will be reflected in the papers of this session. In Part 2 of this two-part symposium, participants emphasize Payson’s contributions to the development of archaeological method and theory in Mesoamerica and beyond.