Maya Ruins, Science, and Culture in Chiapas, Mexico and Peten, Guatemala
A travel course for the students of Professors Scott Dorman and Barry Spieler - Birmingham Southern College
This two week course is designed for college level students. Traveling in back and forth between Mexico and Guatemala, the course will explore a variety of ruins, modern villages, and ecological environments. Ancient Maya history, culture, and sciences will be studied in the ruins, during field experiments, and through evening lectures along the way. The course will begin and end in Villahermosa, Mexico.
| Maya Ruins, Science, and Culture in Chiapas, Mexico and Peten, Guatemala | |||
| Price | Arranged through Birmingham Southern College | ||
| Date | January 10-23, 2010 | ||
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| Jan 10, Sunday: Arrival Students fly into Villahermosa and meet MEC staff at the airport. That evening, they'll stay in Villahermosa and get ready for the first big day. Overnight in Villahermosa |
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Jan 11, Monday: La Venta Park Morning: Visit La Venta Park (Olmec) Afternoon: Transport to Palenque Evening: Lecture - Ancient Maya History Overnight in Palenque |
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Jan 12, Tuesday: Palenque Morning: Palenque tour Afternoon: Palenque's museum Evening: Lecture - Maya Astronomy and sky watching Overnight in Palenque |
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Jan 13, Wednesday: Palenque Morning: Lecture - Maya Geometry Afternoon: Project - planning a Maya structure Evening: Free time Overnight in Palenque |
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Jan 14, Thursday: Bonampak Morning: Visit Bonampak ruins Afternoon: Picnic at Golondrinas waterfalls Evening: Lecture - Maya Calendars Overnight in Frontera Corozal |
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Jan 15, Friday: Yaxchilan Morning: Boat to Yaxchilan Afternoon: Lunch in Frontera's Museum Afternoon: Travel into Guatemala Overnight in Flores |
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Jan 16, Saturday: Lake Peten Itza Morning: Walking tour of Flores Afternoon: Island museum, Petencito Zoo Evening: Free time Overnight in Flores |
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Jan 17, Sunday: Uaxactun Morning: Travel to Uaxacatun Afternoon: Tour of Uaxactun Evening: Lecture - Tikal, Rome of the Maya World Overnight in Tikal Park |
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Jan 18, Monday: Tikal Morning: Tour of Tikal Afternoon: Tikal Museums Evening: Full moon tour of Tikal Overnight in Tikal Park |
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Jan 19, Tuesday: Back to Mexico Morning: Transport into Mexico Afternoon: Movie - Chak the Rain God Evening: Rest Overnight in Frontera Corozal |
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Jan 20, Wednesday: Piedras Negras Morning: Boat to Piedras Negras Afternoon: Measuring experiments at Piedras Negras Evening: Return to Palenque Overnight in Palenque |
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Jan 21, Thursday: Palenque Morning: Rubber tree plantation Afternoon: Mesoamerican rubber experiments Evening: Free time Overnight in Palenque |
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Jan 22, Friday: Cacao Plantation Morning: Transport to Comalcalco Afternoon: tour of a cacao plantation and mole lunch Evening: Closing ceremonies and final dinner Overnight in Villahermosa |
| Jan 23, Saturday: Departure Morning hotel check out, transport to the Villahermosa airport, and flights back to the USA |
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LODGING
Villahermosa - Hotel Cencali: Private baths, AC, cable TV, restuarant, internet
Palenque - La Aldea: Cabanas with private baths, AC, restuarant, pool, internet cafe
Flores - Hotel Santana: AC, privates baths, pool, cable TV, restuarant.
Tkal Park - Jaguar Inn: Private baths, fans, restuarant, internet access, electricity off at 9pm.
Frontera Corozal - Escudo Jaguar: Private baths, fans, restuarant, internet access.
MEC PROVIDES
- Lodging- Breakfasts & lunches
- Ground and water transportation
- Entrance fees
- Day tours with anthropologists/archaeologists
- Final dinner
- Lectures and movies
- Experiment materials and equipment
- Course resource packet
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Airfare to and from Villahermosa- Travel insurance
- Dinners
Proceeds from MEC Tours and travel courses are the center's primary source of research funding. As such, a portion of the travel costs are tax deductible. MEC will provide non-student participants with receipts and proper documentation regarding the center's 501(c)(3) non-profit status for your records.
