Polities, Hinterland Communities, and Everything in Between: Twenty-Five Years of Archaeological Research in Northwest Belize

This session synthesizes 25 years of archaeological investigations taking place in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) of northwest Belize, a region that was deeply transformed by the life practices of the Maya over a period of nearly 2,000 years. From small beginnings in 1992, the Programme for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP) has since grown to encompass various research efforts, fostering cooperation among archaeologists, geographers, and environmental scientists. As a result, an extensive body of data concerning the character of many of the region’s recorded sites has been produced, shedding light onto the lives of the ancient Maya that inhabited this corner of Mesoamerica from the Preclassic (1000 BCE – 250 CE) to the Terminal Classic (850 – 950 CE) periods. This session builds on the regional focus to explore the interrelationships between the varying communities from various theoretical positions as supported by empirical data. Sites discussed in this session include the large Maya sites of La Milpa, Dos Hombres, and Maax Na. Mid-level sites of Say Ka and Wari Camp are also discussed, forming a bridge to the numerous smaller settlements that extend across the landscape such as Medicinal Trail, Hun Tun, and La Milpa North.