Principal investigator
Sarah Kurnick
Funding
National Geographic Society; American Philosophical Society; Gerda Henkel Foundation
Collaboration + support
The Punta Laguna community
Deep in the jungle of Mexico鈥檚 Yucatan Peninsula, assistant professor of archaeology Sarah Kurnick is infusing traditional archaeological approaches with fresh ideas about sustainability and community engagement while studying an ancient Maya site.听
Punta Laguna, a Maya village of 125 people, resides within a large spider monkey reserve. The site includes more than 200 structures, some of which are 1,500 years old. The ruins are covered in jungle foliage and must be cleared with machetes while curious monkeys watch.听
The Punta Laguna people honor their ancient Maya roots while embracing modern life. To generate much-needed income, they give tours of the reserve and the Maya ruins.听
While Kurnick鈥檚 team studies the relationship between Punta Laguna鈥檚 Postclassic inhabitants and their Classic period predecessors, they also work closely with Maya residents to explore the site, preserve the cultural heritage contained within, and increase the community鈥檚 revenue through sustainable ecotourism.
Innovation means: