ASM Affiliates Inc. to Assist in Geophysical Research at Kaminaljuyu

Kaminaljuyu was once the largest site in the Guatemalan highlands with over 200 structures in an area of approximately 5 square kilometers. Only 35 structure mounds associated with Kaminaljuyu remain. The World Monument Fund has declared Kaminaljuyu on their “watch” list due to urban growth. It is important to do as much research as possible of what remains of the site.

ASM will be working in conjunction with Dr. Hector Neff of California State University Long Beach to map portions of the remaining intact structures associated with Kaminaljuyu with remote sensing equipment, specifically ground penetrating radar. The geophysical survey will also assist in locating subsurface monuments that have yet to be uncovered. Our collaboration with Dr. Neff will efficiently and effectively provide much needed information for a larger area of the site than could be accomplished by traditional archaeological field methods. Our work will assist in the rescue efforts of Dr. Barbara Arroyo, a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin and the Center for Archaeological and Anthropological Research of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Arrival in Guatemala

We arrived at about 9:00 am this morning in Guatemala City. Dr. Barbara Arroyo met us at the airport. We are staying at the apartment of Dr. Fred Bove as he is in Costa Rica. Below is a photo from his balcony.  We are waiting on a few pieces of Dr. Neff's luggage to arrive on a later flight.  We hope they will arrive tomorrow morning.  Thus far we've rented a vehicle and picked up some provisions for the week.  Unfortunately I only have a short time here in Guatemala but, Dr. Neff will be working here at Kaminaljuyu an additional week to do magnetometry in addition to our GPR survey.  This week, not only will we be employing GPR at the site, we will also be assaying basalt monuments in the park and in the museum with the portable XRF in an effort to determine the source for the raw material these monuments were carved from.  I will have access to the internet for the duration of my stay so, I hope that within the next few days I'll be able to post some interesting findings.  I can't wait to see the site tomorrow.  Saludos mis amigos.


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