Maya Exploration Center: Education Through Exploration
Staff and Associates
Lilia Lizama Aranda [e-mail]
»Masters Degree from the Autonmous University of Yucatan, Merida, 2004
»Founder of EMCSA, 2002

Associates
» Dr. Edwin Barnhart
» Dr. Christopher Powell
» Alonso Mendez
» Carol Karasik
» Dr. Kirk French
» James Eckhardt
» Dr. Michael Grofe
» Lilia Lizama
» Dr. David Hixson
» Dr. Gerardo Aldana » Miguel Covarrubias » Luke Caverns
Lilia Lizama is an archaeologist with a master degree in Anthropological Sciences specializing in Archaeology. She is the founder and General Director of EMCSA, a Cultural Resource Management organization working towards convincing the Mexican government to allow a much needed contract archaeology industry. As part of that work, Lilia has participated in multiple archaeological projects with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). At present, she leads the Project of Registration and Diagnosis of cultural and archaeological places in the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, Mexico, which was recognized in March of 2004 by the Interamerican Development Bank as one of the eight best projects of Latin America and the Caribbean. This project promotes the protection of cultural heritage, creates jobs, and trains indigenous communities in strategies of self sustainable cultural development.

A champion of cultural preservation, Lilia has created workshops for children and the awareness-raising of cultural heritage in the community of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. She has gives lectures in the Mexico and abroad about responsible archaeological practices and the protection of cultural heritage. She has obtained local, state, national, foreign and private scholarships for her work and continuing education. As part of her quest to protect the cultural heritage of the Yucatan, Lilia represents the Fundaci�n sin Fronteras Civil Association of Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo in planning meetings with the Technical Committee of the Ecological Development of the Riviera Maya. Her proposals to the committee include a new system of registration for archaeological sites and a requirement that cultural resource management studies be conducted prior to any land development projects.

Most recently, Lilia has been the director of two preservation projects, one with the National Commission for the Development of Native Pueblos and the Program of Cultural Development of the Interamerican Development Bank. Both of those programs focus on Puerto Morelos and surrounding communities with the goals of preserving the area's cultural heritage and protecting its people's social rights. The tourism industry is inevitably changing Puerto Morelos, but Lilia is working to make sure it does so with respect for both its people and environment.
Suggested reading books can be bought at Amazon.com JungleCasts with Dr. Barnhart