FARES 2009 Annual Report

Danta Pyramid, El Mirador

Photo: Brent Holmes, 2010

MIRADOR BASIN 2009 The Field Report, Events & Activities of the Mirador Basin Project FARES Foundation

Dr. Richard Hansen, Project Director

Table of Contents Letter from the President

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Special Thanks

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Join Us/Strategic Allies

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Board of Directors/Advisory Board/Summary Finances

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Accomplishments and Progress

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Field Report

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Summary Field Excavations & Conservation Activities

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Resolution 37 Wild 9

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Events and Activities

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Clinic Report

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In The News

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Bibliography

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List of Figures

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Figures

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Gustavo Valenzuela Š FARES 2009

Recent Discovery Swimming figures of modeled and painted plaster suggest rich cosmological themes related to Maya water collection systems and the Popol Vuh. Particular Late Preclassic mythological reference is made to the Hero Twins (Hunahpu and Xbalanque), their decapitated father (Hun Hunahpu), Chacthe Maya Rain God, Itzamna - the old creator god and Cosmic Monsters.

The associated architecture consists of pools, waterfalls, drainage channels, and water collection mechanisms to capture and beautify water resources near lar ge reservoirs. The extraordinary state of preservation and the detailed iconography of the relief are clear representations of the ideological and economic complexity of the Preclassic societies in the Mirador Basin.

Editor & Layout: Josephine Thompson Printing: Tipos DiseĂąo

FARES

FOUNDATION FOR ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies (FARES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to conducting scientific research on ancient and contemporary societies and their related environments. Our organization is committed to utilizing cultural and ecological data for the conservation and development of threatened areas, and to promote education and economic opportunity in local communities. FARES is currently working in close collaboration with the Government of Guatemala, and with numerous foundations and institutions throughout the world.

FARES is a non-profit 501 (c) (3), a scientific research institution and public charity formed in January, 1996 (Federal I.D. #82-0486235) and is under statutes 509 (a) (1) of the IRS code.

PRINCIPLE OBJECTIVES 1) To conduct scientific, multi-disciplinary, archaeological research and environmental studies in northern Guatemala’s Mirador Basin. FARES is the primary sponsor of the Mirador Basin Project, which is currently exploring the origins, dynamics, and demise of early Maya civilization in the region.

2) To preserve the tropical forest in northern Guatemala and the Mesoamerican Lowlands.

Through the establishment of sustainable conservation programs, such as world-class archaeological parks and natural preserves, these forests have the ability to provide new economic benefits to the surrounding communities and the Republic of Guatemala.

3) To establish and assist educational and vocational development programs in local communities. Programs focus on sustainable agricultural techniques, forestry and reforestation, eco-tourism and tourist services, wilderness and national monument management, financial management, literacy, and health.

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Richard D. Hansen

Richard D. Hansen

Richard D. Hansen

Maya Figurine Head

2008 Field Season Team

2009 Ocelot Den

THE MIRADOR BASIN The Mirador Basin exists as one of Central America’s greatest treasures. This culturally and biologically rich area is located in the northern-most region of the PetÊn (Guatemala) and southern Campeche (Mexico), in the heart of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. At over 810,000 acres, the Mirador Basin (Guatemala) offers extensive habitat to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including numerous World Conservation Union (IUCN) identified endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened species. In addition to a striking biological diversity, the Mirador Basin is marked by the earliest and largest Preclassic Maya cities known in Mesoamerica . These cities are filled with massive constructions including pyramids, temples, palaces, causeways, and other remnants of a highly evolved and complex society.

Mirador Basin discoveries have led experts to identify this area as the Cradle of Maya Civilization.

Richard D. Hansen

The FARES Foundation is committed to investigating and saving the Mirador Basin, and is currently collaborating with the Guatemalan government, local communities, and international organizations and governments to ensure the preservation and protection of this exceptional area.

Ancient Maya cival marsh system

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friendsof the Mirador Basin,

The 2009 season of the Mirador Basin Project focused on the investigation and conservation of the largest ancient cities in the Western Hemisphere and simultaneously conducting environmental conservation and research as well as providing social, educational, and economic development in the remote villages of northern Guatemala. The Mirador Basin Project is sponsored by a majority of the major industries and prominent organizations in Guatemala as well as visionary international institutions in the US such as the Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and the Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage (PACUNAM). I have had the privilege of working in the Mirador Basin since 1979, making this year the 30th Anniversary of scientific work combined with conservation and development programs conducted on the regional level. I hope that you can help this work move forward so that, as the threats to the Mirador Basin are enlarging, so does the force for good as a the remedy of so many of the world’s ills. WE ARE A SOLUTION. Our work in the Mirador Basin has been unprecedented in the annals of archaeological and environmental research.

Investigations in Mirador Basin have radically altered our perceptions of early Maya settlement and architectural sophistication. We have gained new information about the world’s largest pyramids, and the world’s first freeway system (the causeways) as they linked the ancient cities to spawn the first economic and political state level society in the Western Hemisphere.

In 2009, we discovered more of the El Mirador’s earliest sections. We have provided employment to hundreds of workers, specialists and Guatemalan and foreign students. The project has executed programs of tourism infrastructure, interpretive panels, health programs, potable water, computer and training systems for schools in communities, literacy, education, and vocational training programs for workers, and even worked with the first school for community tourism guides so that the communities can have their own guide program. The project continued with multidisciplinary research such as entomological studies (insects) headed by Dr. Jack Schuster (U del Valle), the flora of the Mirador Basin with Ing. César Castañeda (U del Valle and mammalian studies with San Carlos University.

This research resulted in the discovery of the 8 new species of insects that are found nowhere else on earth.

The dynamic factors of the intimate relationship between culture and environment are evident in the Mirador Basin and specific efforts are focused on the conservation and protection of the unique cultural and environmental contexts of the area. I am asking for your financial help to us justify the permanent protection for 810,000 acres of geographically-defined, pristine rainforest containing the earliest Maya cities in Mesoamerica. The ancient sites provide the economic justification for the conservation of the forest. The studies of the social, political, and economic sophistication of the Preclassic Maya in the northern Petén over a 30 year period have contributed to the definition of the Mirador Basin as the “Cradle of Maya Civilization.”

On behalf of FARES, I would like to express my gratitude for your generous support of the project and hope for your continued support.

Even modest amounts make a major difference.

The best to all of you,

Richard D. Hansen

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HEARTFELT THANKS Heartfelt thanks you to all of you who have contributed to the Mirador Basin and its success. Without your contribution and support the Mirador Basin and all of its cultural and natural treasures would surely have been lost.

Your support is vitally important and greatly appreciated.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO Global Heritage Fund (GHF) • Fundación Patrimonio Cultural y Natural Maya (PACUNAM) • Friends of the Natural and Cultural Patrimony of Guatemala (APANAC) • Instituto de Antropologia e Historia (IDAEH) Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes (MICUDE) • FUNDESA • US Department of Interior Ms Hilda Cofiño • Idaho State University JADE DIAMOND ($250,000+) Sra. Hilda Cofiño,

JADE ($10 000+) Pedro Aguirre, APANAC, Nancy H. Baxter,

Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies (FARES), Fundacion Patrimonio Cultural y Natural Maya (PACUNAM), Mel Gibson, Global Heritage Fund (GHF), Vinod

Carol W. Casey, John and Marlys A. Cybulski, J. Orin and Charlene Edson, Familia de las Americas/Atkinson Foundation, High Country Passage, Idaho State University, Jay I. Kislak Foundation, Jerry M. Lindzon, Walter P. and Elizabeth B. Parks, Ms. I. Ann Ruffer (Cumulative), Robert K. Thompson, Elizabeth Welty

Sekhar (Petra Group)

JADE DIAMOND (Cumulative $250, 000+) Associacion del Amigos del Patrimonio Natural y Cultural de Guatemala (APANAC), Ms. Iona Bensen, Blue Oil, Cementos Progresso, Cervecería Centro American, Citibank, Claro, Hitz Foundation, Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Swift Family Foundation (MSST), Walmart C. America

MIRADOR BASIN SPONSORS ($5,000+) Keith and Pat Ballard, Carl W. Cooper, Joe Habie-Aldan S.A, Hightower Family Foundation, Pi Foundation, Evelyn Stern, Peggy Stoves, Gretchen Turner

MIRADOR BASIN MEMBERS ($1,000+) Alfred and PLATINUM JADE ($100, 000+) Nini & Francois Berger, Alec & Gail Merriam, Dr. Larry and Joan Porter (cumulative), Laney & Pasha Thorton (via GHF), Rob and Melani Walton, Morgan Family Foundation (cumulative), Robert Berry -Wolf Creek Foundation, Cofiño-Stahl, Banco Industrial, Pantaleon Foundation, DISAGRO, Fundación Carlos F. Novella, John Paul Mitchell Systems-John Paul DeJoria,

GOLDEN JADE ($50, 000+) David Graham, Peninsula Community Foundation, Potash Corp, Brent and Michele Townshend, Wallace Foundation,

GOLDEN JADE (Cumulative $50, 000+) John and Pat Hansen

SILVER JADE ($20,000+) Doña Odette de Arzu, California Community Foundation, Tim Choate, Richard and Pat Fruin, Ms. Linda Pierce, The Mosaic Group

Eunice Childs Trust, Sharon Belkin, Bill and Cheryl Bennett, Charles and Carol Blackwood, Joel Brown, Lowell and Patsy Chamberlain, Lowell & Patsy Chamberlain, Marc Chips, Friends of Ethnic Art San Francisco, Randall Ham, Dennis Hightower, Kathryn Burg, Richard and Lynn Kelson, Patricia Lockhart, Bill and Ann Lucas, Jeffrey and Tondra Lynford, Mary K. (Micki) Ryan-Schwab Charitable Fund, Lee McCullough, Mynor CordonTACA, Humberto and Maria Olavarra, Pi Foundation, Ms. I. Ann Ruffer, ViaVenture Travel, Gwin and Marjorie Whitney, Roger and Nancy Williams

MIRADOR BASIN SUPPORTERS ($100+) Paula Atwood, Sharon Lee Belkin, Mary Mc Devitt Brown, Ben Castricone, Clayton W. Cook, Bob and Maria Gease, Randall E. Ham, G.K Linkous, Cynthia Luce, Mary Lou Ridinger , Mario Sandoval, Colleen Searle, Greg and Flo Silver , Peggy Sloves, Hiram L. Smith, William and Cecilia Taylor, Josephine Thompson, Elizabeth Turecek

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JOIN US “The Mirador area is arguably the greatest archaeological find in the Western Hemisphere. For thirty years, Dr. Richard Hansen has worked with unparalleled commitment and passion to bring to light these awe-inspiring discoveries.”

“Richard has created a new model for rainforest and archaeological site conservation through sustainable programs using the ancient jungle shrouded cities as the economic catalysts for their own preservation.”

Mel Gibson, Chairman of the Board, FARES

STRATEGIC ALLIES -GHF- Global Heritage Fund Global Heritage Fund (GHF) is a non-profit International Conservancy established in 2002 in Palo Alto, California, with the mission to save the earth's most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries through scientific excellence and community involvement.

GHF has been a staunch supporter of FARES since 2004. They, in cooperation with PACUNAM and FARES provide funding for the Mirador Basin Project.

-Pacunam- Fundación Patrimonio Cultural y Natural Maya Pacunam is a foundation comprised of numerous visionary Guatemalan corporations committed to the preservation of Guatemala's natural and cultural heritage through sustainable development for the benefit of future generations. Their mission is to coordinate efforts and facilitate resources to identify, lead and promote projects for the protection and rescue of the cultural and natural heritage of Guatemala.

Since 2006, Pacunam, in cooperation with GHF, supports FARES funding for the rescue and ecological protection of Mirador Basin.

-APANACAsociación de Amigos del Patrimonio Natural y Cultural de Guatemala APANAC is a non-profit organization formed in Guatemala by individuals interested in the preservation and development of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Guatemala.

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-Idaho State University ISU has made the commitment to become “the premier international research institution for Mesoamerican studies in ancient cultures and related environmental sciences and conservation programs,” according to ISU Vice President, Dr. Kent Tingey

OTHERS Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes

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Instituto de Antropología e Historia United States Department of the Interior (DOI)

Foundation for Sustainable Development

Hitz Foundation

2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mel Gibson

Dr. Richard D. Hansen, Ph.D

Wayne K. Howell

Chairman of the Board (FARES); Icon Productions

President (FARES); Idaho State University

Vice President of Operations (FARES); U.S. National Park Service, Glacier Bay National Park

Kenneth P. Hitz

Jody Lynn Hansen

Vice President, Development (FARES); Hitz Family Foundation

Secretary (FARES)

Kerry L. Arritt, CPA

Fernando Paiz

Secretary - Treasurer (FARES) Anderson, Nielson, Arritt CPAs

Francois Berger Executive Director, (FARES) Executive President, (FARES) Guatemala; Auto Safari Guatemala

Executive Director (FARES), Executive Vice President, (FARESGuatemala) Wal-Mart Central America

Dr. Herbert Maschner, Ph.D.

Wayne Hepworth

Leland S. McCullough

Executive Director (FARES); Manager, Merrill Lynch

Executive Director (FARES); FARES Director Legal Counsel; Callister, Nebeker, and McCullough Law

Executive Director (FARES) Idaho State University

ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Michael Coe Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Director of the Herrett Center Yale University

James C. Woods

James C. Woods Director of the Herrett Center, College of Southern Idaho

MIRADOR Director of the Herrett2009 Center, EXPENSE College of Southern Idaho

SUMMARY

Includes all labor, materials & transportation for 168+ workers John Paul DeJoria Chairman and CEO, FARES Expenses John Paul Mitchell Systems

Project Exp Travel (includes transport) Short Term Photo Food Postage Phone/communication Wages, Honorarium Guards (included in Guatemala Acct) Analysis/Spec Studies (specialists) Misc Services Lab Credit Card Cash Bank Charge Mapping Guatemala Acct Pro/Lago Insurance Loan/Bank Pmt Endowment Deposit Helicopters Total Expenses Pending GHF Total 2009

$7,633.12 $110,237.60 $8,597.95 $3,088.21 -0$1,329.56 $4,732.91 $15,479.80 -0$140,010.09 $2,116.00 $18,171.17 $2,010.00 $2,149.97 $12,000.00 $731,950.00 $ 2750 $101,212.02 -0-0$44,167.00 $1,204,885.40 $30,000.00 $1,230,190.00

John Paul DeJoria Chairman and CEO, John Paul Mitchell Systems

2009 Accomplishments and Progress The Macro Perspective The key partners (GHF, PACUNAM, APANAC, FUNDESA, FARES) of the Mirador Basin Project have brought to the world a new model for conservation and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. Extensive research and discoveries up until 2009 have shown that the Mirador area is: 

Home of the largest ancient cities in the Western Hemisphere

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One of largest concentration of ancient Maya cities in the Americas

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The earliest Maya cities in the world.

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Among the largest pyramids in volume in the world

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The first “freeway” or superhighway system in the world

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The first political and economic state-level society in the Western Hemisphere.

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The Cradle of Maya Civilization, one of five founding complex civilizations in the world.

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Home of the greatest concentration of jaguars in the world, exceeding the Amazon and the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve in Belize

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Home of 10 new species of moths (currently identified 2009), and 1 new species of fly

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Destination point of the eastern US avian flyway

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Home of avian species found only in the Mirador Basin in all of Guatemala, and home to rare bird species such as the Orange Breasted Falcon and the Harpy Eagle.

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Extraordinary art and architecture of world-class status

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The last tract of tropical rainforest left in Central America (810,000 acres on the Guatemalan side of the border) as a final refuge for tropical flora and fauna. The value also stems from the fact that it borders the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, an area under UNESCO World Heritage designation. The Mirador Basin is under extreme threat from narcotics dealers, drug buying cattle operations requiring clear cutting of vast tracts of tropical forest, looters, poachers, and clear-cutting intrusive settlers.

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Project Achievements to date in 2009 a. Project has the active sponsorship of the Foundation for Anthropological Research & Environmental Studies (FARES), the Global Heritage Fund (GHF), and the Fundaci贸n del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural Maya (PACUNAM- Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage), a Guatemalan non-profit organization supported by a partnership of the leading corporations in Central America. The project is also working closely with the Asociaci贸n del Amigos del Patrimonio Natural y Cultural (APANAC- Association of Friends of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Guatemala), and the U.S. Department of Interior. Recently, the FUNDESA foundation (Fundacion de Desarrollo Sostenible) has received a major grant from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and has received a counterpart pledge from the Global Heritage Fund and PACUNAM. Since 2003 until 2009, the project has invested $9.4 million dollars in the Mirador Basin. b. First identification of the Mirador Basin as a world-class caliber geographic and geological phenomenon of singular cultural and natural importance. c. More than 30 years of consistent scientific investigation in the area, with the project director working in the Mirador Basin since 1979. d. Publication of more than 183 scientific papers, books, and 585 technical manuscripts, and more than 374 formal public presentations throughout the world. e. First project to employ guards (28) since 1992 until 2007 to protect the sites of El Mirador, Pedernal, Nakbe, La Florida, and Xulnal. The project has invested US$1,384,000 in guards to protect and defend the archaeological sites and their natural environment. The project currently employs 10 guards in the Basin from the communities of Carmelita, Pasadita, San Benito, and San Andres as part of the support system for the guards that IDAEH (Instituto de Antropolog铆a e Historia-the national authority responsible for Anthropology and History) now sponsors. The Mirador Basin is the only project in the history of Guatemala to have paid for protection of so many sites for so many years. f. Organization and deployment of an outstanding research team of experts, technicians, and students from 52 universities and research institutions throughout the world who are investigating the basin from a regional cultural and ecological perspective and through a variety of disciplines. g. Permanent establishment of a laboratory to analyze, classify, and interpret the archaeological materials in Guatemala City since 1989. h. Identification and scientific investigation of a unique concentration of the earliest ancient Maya cities in Mesoamerica. i. Identification and mapping of some of the largest ancient sites in the Western Hemisphere.

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j. Identification, investigation, and mapping of massive ancient buildings, which rank among the largest in the world. k. Identification, investigation and mapping of the first “freeway system” (causeways) in the world. l. Identification of the home of the first “state level” political and economic society in the Western Hemisphere. m. Identification of data that would allow the Mirador Basin to be considered as the “Cradle of Maya Civilization.” n. First exploration and detailed mapping of 51 ancient sites to date (2009) within the basin, with test excavations and mapping in the sites of de Xulnal, Tintal, El Mirador, Nakbe, Zacatal, El Resbalon, El Ramonal, Xtabay, Tamazul, Chab Che, Las Ilusiones, Wakna, Xulbil, Hun Zacatal, Ka Zacatal, Ox Zacatal. Lechugal, La Tortuga, Puctealito, La Vacinilla, Porvenir, La Iglesia, Ixtanche, La Ceibita, El Guiro, El Camotillo, La Sarteneja, Naba, Bejucal, La Muralla, La Isla, Pedernal, La Muerta, El Chiquero, El Pesquero, La Ciudadela, La Muñeca, Al Che, El Cedro, La Union, La Pailona, La Reforma, Los Torres, La Mazacuata, Naranjita, El Yucatan, Las Cojolitas, Las Chatias, Chacah’Ab, Tun Tun, El Civalon, Haleb, Ix K’alak, El Tintalito, o. First project in Guatemala to incorporate sophisticated leading edge technologies (Total Station and Laser Scanners) in the mapping of ancient Maya cities. p. First consolidation and stabilization of Preclassic and Classic period architecture in the Mirador Basin. q. Integration and training of more than 87 Guatemalan archaeologists, students, technicians, and specialists. r. Active participation of 52 universities and research institutions from throughout the world with the participation of 175 experts and technicians. s. Employment of up to 340 Guatemalan workmen for periods from three to eight months.

The communities of Carmelita, La Pasadita, Dos Aguadas, La Colorado, San Andres, San Benito, Coban, and Uaxactun are benefiting from quality jobs created by the Project. t. Only project to hire the elderly for specialized tasks in maintenance in archaeological sites. u. Project incorporates heavy vocational training for specialized employment such as restoration and consolidation of Preclassic architecture, treatment of stucco, masonry, stone and mortar working, and architectural stabilization and maintenance. Project has consistently paid above market salaries.

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v. Project has purchased and delivered mules (5), horses (2), harnesses, saddles, bags, camping equipment, water tanks, electric generators, radios, food supplies, tarps, tends, and motorcycles (2 Honda Fat Cats) for IDAEH offices in Flores and the guards of the Mirador Basin. w. Project has purchased two buildings in Carmelita for the use by project personnel and IDAEH (Institute of Anthropology and History) guards. x. Contractual employment of up to 120 mules & muleteers for transportation of goods and commodities into the Basin for three to eight month period. This provides crucial income for poor communities. y. Major experimental achievements in consolidation and stabilization of Preclassic art and architecture, with innovations being studied by UNESCO and the Getty Conservation Institute. z. Among the first projects to incorporate cultural, geological, biological, ecological and environmental data in a comprehensive multidisciplinary investigation program including cultural perspectives. aa. First project to develop literacy and education programs for Maya workers with intensive literacy courses in the evenings (Plan CONALFA). Vocational skill development for workers includes manufacturing and management of mortars, plasters, stuccos, and stone for architectural stabilization, conservation, and long-term preservation. bb. First archaeological project to develop education programs for neighboring communities, having placed 140 computers to date in the public school systems in the villages of Dos Aguadas, Cruce a la Colorada, La Pasadita, El Tigre, Carmelita, and Uaxactun. This effort has been supported by FARES, the AOK Foundation, and the Global Heritage Fund. cc. The El Mirador Project and Idaho State University provided the first computerized system for the National Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology. System includes video, digital cameras, hard drives, printers, and computers for the registration of archaeological pieces. dd. Project provided the first computers (Mac) for the Institute of Anthropology and History of Guatemala (IDAEH). ee. One of the first archaeological projects in Guatemala to provide private insurance and health care programs for employees. ff. Designed and delivered architectural plans for museums and visitors center in Carmelita, Uaxactun and Flores. Plans are registered with INGUAT. gg. First project to encourage and unify the major industries and companies of Guatemala into a single foundation entity (PACUNAM), exclusively for the investigation, development, and conservation of cultural projects like Mirador Basin.

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hh. First active project to establish its own museum (Mirador Basin Museum, Zona 6, La Pedrera, Museo Carlos F. Novella) with the Fundación Carlos F. Novella, Cementos Progreso, PACUNAM, IDAEH, and the FARES Foundation for the exposition of artifacts and information from the Mirador Basin. ii. First archaeological and scientific research project to initiate a Conservation Incentives program for a logging concession to compensate villagers for the conservation of the concession area in the Mirador Basin. (Long term funding program). jj. First project to have two project members awarded the National Order of the Guatemalan Cultural Heritage by a President of Guatemala. (Richard D. Hansen, December 5, 2005; Enrique Monterroso Tun, February 2007). kk. First scientific project to have a project member awarded “Environmentalist of the Year for Latin America” by the 161,000 members of the Latin Trade Bravo Business Association (Richard D Hansen, October 24, 2008). ll. Project selected as one of the 10 most important discoveries in the world in 2009 : i. http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/ ii. http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/guatemala.html mm.

Project has important national and international exposure, including these documentaries: El Mirador: A Preclassic City. Film produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Studios, 1985. 28 minutes.

Mexico Dreams. Documentary produced by Two Guys Productions, Los Angeles.

Four-hour series for national broadcast on PBS, March 1993.

ABC 20/20. Ancient Kingdoms, Buried Secrets. ABC Special Feature Presentation with Hugh Downs; Aired Aug. 7, 1998.

Sky Archaeology. Documentary produced by Koch Television, Inc., Cabin John, Md.; Chicago. Hour feature produced for The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel (TLC). World Premier, Aug. 17, 1998. Europe: Jan. 1999.

Arqueología desde el Cielo. Discovery Channel, Latin America, Europe. Oct. 28, 1998; January 1999.

Lost Civilizations: : Atlantis Uncovered . British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Filming 1998-1999; Broadcast November 1999, April 2000. Produced by Chris Hale. (Debunking the Atlantis myth and associated concepts) The Search for Site Q. British Broadcasting Corporation, Discovery. July 2000.

Chris Ledyear Productions.

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Pyramids, Tombs, and Mummies. Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel; released September & December 2002. PSL Productions, England Dawn of the Maya. National Geographic Special; National Geographic Television and Film. Released on May 12, 2004.

The Lost World. Sixty Minutes, Australia. Ninemsn, July 19, 2004.

CNN International: Global Challenges: The Maya.

2004, CNN International, Atlanta.

Released October 17,

Hansen Consultant for CBS Survivor: Guatemala. June-August 2005.

Consultant for Apocalypto (Icon Productions), Mexico. (www.apocalypto.com), released December 8, 2006 ABC Good Morning America, with Diane Sawyer and Mel Gibson. November 23, 2006 The Ancient Maya and Apocalypto. ABC Primetime Live with Diane Sawyer, John QuiĂąones, Richard D. Hansen & Mel Gibson. November 23, 2006 The History Channel: Digging for the Truth: New Maya Revelations. Feb 12, 2007.

CNN International. World’s Untold Stories: Mirador, The Forgotten City.

October 13, 17, 18, 27, 31, Nov 1, 2009 http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/untoldstories/blog/archive/ http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.b.cnn?iref=allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.c.cnn?iref=allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.d.cnn?iref=allsearch

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MIRADOR BASIN 2009 A FIELD REPORT OF THE 2009 SEASON

OVERVIEW The 2009 season of the Mirador Basin Project provided important new data and conservation opportunities for the art, architecture, and history relative to the human settlement and population dynamics in the Mirador Basin, focusing on El Mirador and a series of sites in the La Gloria Forestry Concession. The project provided employment to 168 workers, 20 specialists, and 19 Guatemalan and American students from June through September 2009. The project managed to continue with programs of tourism infrastructure, health, potable water systems, computer systems for schools in communities, and participated in the first graduating class of 28 students from the first school of community guides, and literacy and education programs for workers.

The Mirador Basin Project is a major multidisciplinary scientific research and conservation project of an area in the extreme northern department of Petén in Guatemala known as the Mirador Basin (Fig 1).

The Mirador Basin forms a portion, indeed the “heart” of a large conservation project known as the Cuatro Balam (Four Jaguars) recently designed by Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom, and currently under the administration of the Vice President of the country, Dr. Rafael Espada. The Mirador Basin only forms a portion of the Cuatro Balam project, and currently involves 52 universities and research institutions from throughout the world. The project has initiated and continued major multidisciplinary studies in the Mirador Basin, including ornithology with Cornell University, entomology with Dr. Jack Schuster and Lic. Jose Monzon of Del Valle University, and botany with Ing. Cesar Castañeda of Del Valle University.

The valuable collaboration of individuals and institutions that sponsor this research and who are committed to the protection of cultural and natural heritage of Guatemala, provides a new vision of conserving this valuable legacy for future generations. Although the executing organization has been the Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies-FARES since 1996, which is associated with Idaho State University and the Institute for Mesoamerican Research at ISU, FARES maintains a close collaborative relationship with the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MICUDE), the Institute of Anthropology and History (IDAEH), the Guatemalan Tourist Institute (INGUAT), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Project consists of a large team of scholars, technicians, specialists, managers and students to investigate the Mirador Basin and conserve the Mirador Basin in a multi-disciplinary effort.

Scientific work and conservation and development programs are, and have been, conducted at the regional level to understand the origins, cultural and ecological dynamics, and the demographic collapse of complex society in the area of the Mirador Basin in the Maya Lowlands. The investigations include studies of the developmental process in the complex social, political, economic, ecological and environmental context of the early Maya, and the causes and consequences of the decline and collapse of Preclassic Maya civilization nearly 800 years earlier 16 | P a g e

than the great Late Classic collapse around A.D. 900. The dynamic factors of culture and environment are evident in the Mirador Basin and specific efforts are focused on the conservation and protection of the unique cultural and environmental contexts of the area.

The Mirador Basin contains the largest and earliest Maya sites in the Mesoamerica. The majority of sites date to the Middle and Late Preclassic periods, between 1000 BC and approximately A.D. 150. The Mirador Basin Project was among the first to identify the unusual concentration of sophisticated early cultural remains in the Maya Lowlands, and the first to note that the Basin is a natural and cultural area defined as geographically circumscribed and distinct from other areas in the Maya Lowlands. The Mirador Basin appears to have spawned the first state-level society in the Western Hemisphere and contains the first system of inter-connecting superhighways (freeways) in the world.

The project and its partners seek permanent protection for 810,000 acres of pristine rainforest in northern Guatemala, which, when considered together with the area of the basin within the adjoining Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Campeche, Mexico, represents, the last large area of tropical forest remaining in Latin America north of the Amazon. The resultant studies of the social, political, and economic sophistication of the Preclassic Maya in the northern Peten over a 30 year period have contributed to the definition of the Mirador Basin as the “Cradle of Maya Civilization.� Research has identified what is believed to be the names and accession dates of the first Maya kings in the Mirador Basin centuries before the birth of Christ, and have identified the complex nature of the settlement distribution of the ancient cities. The subsequent research of the political and social complexity in the area has contributed in changing the entire historical perspective of origins and cultural development of Maya civilization. Research in 2009 allowed the Mirador Basin Project discoveries to be named among the Ten Ten most important discoveries in the world by the Archaeological Institute of America: http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/ http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/guatemala.html Numerous press releases and press coverage have allowed substantial exposure for the project and its supporters. The magazine Geo provided a full feature cover story, and specific 2009 coverage has been in Time Magazine, Discover Magazine, American Archaeology, Wanderlust Magazine (UK), Archaeology, and numerous national and international newspapers, including the front page of Le Monde in Paris, and Siglo XXI and Prensa Libre in Guatemala.

The Mirador Basin project has taken an active role in combating looting, deforestation, poaching, and depredation of Maya cultural and natural heritage, through placement of numerous guards, by implementing education programs and vocational training, and by providing major employment opportunities for communites and towns in northern Guatemala. Public films, publications, and scientific documentaries have contributed to awakening international interest in the Mirador Basin, and the unusual cultural and natural heritage contained therein.

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2009 FIELD SEASON – MIRADOR BASIN The field season of 2009 was conducted from June to September, and conservation work and research was undertaken on both the cultural and natural heritage of the Mirador Basin. Because the Mirador Basin project is conducting a regional study, two separate camps in two distinct areas of the Mirador Basin were established and maintained which facilitated the multidisciplinary research and conservation programs over a broader area, and providing the scientific basis for the protection and conservation of the entire cultural and natural system. Lic. Hector Mejia managed the second camp, which shifted from time to time upon completion of the exploration and mapping in the site area.

The field research this year faced several new problems related to climatic effects such as a prolonged drought in the early months of the wet season in Peten. This was overcome in part because of the water reservoirs built by the project in previous years, which provided the ability to maintain camps and logistic systems necessary to conduct the research.

El Mirador The largest archaeological camp, El Mirador carried out intensive work with the aim of expanding knowledge of human settlement and landscape ecology of the Maya Preclassic periods. This also required planning of special circuits to accommodate visitors as part of a macro plan, adding scenic value to the sites to justify their conservation and the conservation of the surrounding environmental systems. This implies maximum importance to the study and conservation of architectural and archaeological features and the preservation of tropical forests with the participation of seasoned experts. The architectural conservation work was coordinated by Enrique Monterroso Tun, Lic. Enrique Monterroso Rosado, Licda. Lilian Zea, Licda. Carmen Ramos, Ms. Vanessa Rodens, and Josué Guzmán.

The archaeological excavations included continuity in the research which has been on-going for several years on structures such as La Danta, the Jaguar Paw Temple (Str. 34), Grand Central Acropolis, Cascabel, La Pava, the Faisanes Group, the Sacalero Group, the Sacalero Causeway, and the Tigre pyramid. Research in areas such as the Defensive Wall and the Preclassic residence excavations had to be postponed because of lack of funding. Large test pitting operations conducted with Idaho State University field school students allowed large scale horizontal exposure of ancient fields, residence structures, burials, and general stratigraphic sequences with the resultant excavations serving as future water collection facilities.

- Mapping. The mapping and archaeological reconnaaissance continued with hightechnology Total Station equipment to the north and west of the civic center. An important suburb of the city was discovered which has been dubbed the Sacalero Group with monumental architecture 15-25 m high, which was linked to the civic center by a large causeway (Sacalero Causeway). This work was carried out jointly between the DEPIC team and mapping archaeologists Carlos Morales Aguilar and Douglas Maurcio (U of San Carlos, USAC). GIS work for the entire Mirador Basin has been undertaken by Josephine Thompson, including careful coordination of mapped cultural features with aerial and satellite images, and the incorporation of mapping data into centralized data 18 | P a g e

systems and maps. Thompson is responsible for the excellent maps being compiled by the project on a regional basis.

- Test Excavations (Op. 109 A- M) A series of important test excavations were placed throughout the site of El Mirador to determine areas of residential occupation without visible evidence of residences, contemporaneity of various areas of the site, distribution settlement, and chronological affiliation necessary for tourism development and infrastructure (Fig. 13). In addition, certain excavations were retained open for future water collection facilities.

The work was conducted by students in the ISU Archaeological Field School Program and the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala.

Excavations were supervised by Kara Nickels (Univerisity of California, San Diego/ ISU Field School), Mark Luzmoor (U of Wyoming/ISU Field School), Michael Stewart (College of Southern Idaho/ ISU Field School), Laura Velasquez (USAC), Douglas Mauricio (USAC), Enrique Hernandez (USAC), Craig Argyle (ISU/ ISU Field School), Edgar Ortega (USAC), Sarah Casson (ISU Field School), and Pilar Vasquez (U Madrid/ISU Field School).

- Central Acropolis Excavations Structure 304 Guatemalan archaeologist Paulino Morales and Kara Nichols of the University of California, San Diego /Idaho State University Field School initiated excavations on the northern stairway access of the Great Central Acropolis in 2008, and Carmen Ramos continued major excavations in 2009 in order to expose the architectural features of what must have been one of the most important buildings in El Mirador (Str. 304) (Fig 14) , and the primary stairway that led to it (Fig 3, (Fig 16). The excavations on Str 304 have allowed exposure of the numerous monoliths, believed to be stelae, that were placed as part of the wall formations of this low platform structure (Fig 14). An earlier, buried platform within the monument wall contains a series of woven mat elements modeled in stucco along the edges of the building, suggesting that the structure could have served as a royal throne. The precise location of the structure in the center of the triad group at the center line of the Central Acropolis with a clear view of the massive plaza that is located to the north of the Acropolis extending into the Leon plaza, plus the woven mat motifs carved on the side of the throne, is indicative of the strategic importance of this low platform structure. The 2009 season focused primarily on the primary stairway of the platform, with extensive expansions of the stairway so as to reveal two major phases of stairway construction, with the earlier stairway in near pristine condition.

Structure 313-314, 315. The Great Central Acropolis was under investigation on three fronts: Structure 313-315, Structure 304, and the Central Acropolis Water System. The extensive excavations in Structure 313 and the base of Structure 314 was supervised by Licda. Beatriz Balcarcel, who identified at least five construction stages in this building.

The building has an interesting history in that the structure has demonstrated evidence of being a public-religious temple with spacious stairways, masks, and panels (Fig 17).

However, the building was remodeled to include the narrowing of the stairs and the intentional burial of the architectural art in what is being interpreted as the conversion of a public structure to a private residential building. The timing indicates a complete phase of construction and occupation during the Late Preclassic period. The excavation of the 19 | P a g e

2009 season, extended along the base of the northeastern faรงade of Str. 313 (Fig 18), revealing Preclassic ceramics directly on the stucco floor (Fig 19, Fig 20), as well as the stairway and a room of another structure located in the northeast corner (Str. 314?) of the platform. Excavations allowed observations of the size and morphology of both the original construction and the remodeling phases.

In addition, excavations were directed on the neighboring Structure 315, which has a central staircase and the upper chamber. Excavations in 2009 exposed a majority of the southwest wall of the building as well as the complete excavation of the upper room of the building, and its associated central stairway (Fig 21). The features known so far show a architectural consistency with Structure 314 in its style, form, construction technique, chronology, and general condition.

- Water Systems Dr. Craig Argyle of Idaho State University continued excavations in the water collection and reservoir systems within the Great Central Acropolis. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Argyle exposed the ornate stucco panels of profound cosmological significance (Fig 22). Swimming figures of modeled and painted plaster suggest rich cosmological themes related to Maya water collection as well as scenes that appear to be related to the Popol Vuh, with particular reference to the Hero Twins, the decapitated head of their father (Hun Hunahpu), Chac, the Maya rain God, and frames of Cosmic Monsters which allow rich depictions of the mythological landscape in the Late Preclassic (Fig. 23). The architecture associated with these images represents pools, waterfalls, drainage channels, and water collection mechanisms to capture and beautify water resources near the large reservoirs. The extraordinary preservation of the relief, and the detailed iconographyt are clear representations of the ideological and economic complexity of Late Preclassic society in the Mirador Basin.

During the 2009 season, Argyle exposed the entirety of the second swimming figure, which had been partially deliberately buried by the Maya under a retaining wall for the upper pool, and, as expected, the figure did not have a decapitated head associated with as did the central figure on the panels. The fact that the second swimmer has a jaguaresque headdress provides a convincing argument that the scene does represent the Hero Twins of the Popol Vuh, and suggests that the Popol Vuh is an authentic and extremely ancient text.

This discovery was named one of the Top Ten archaeological finds in the world in 2009 (Archaeology, Jan 2010). In addition, excavations along the eastern pool revealed another water control mechanism, similar to the dual water fall construction, and Late Preclassic ceramics were recovered directly on the floor (Fig. 24).

- Tigre Pyramid.

Excavations on the summit of the Tigre pyramid continued during the 2008 season with major work on the upper platform, faรงade of the principal structure, and continued stabilization and consolidation of the northern triadic building. A rail system up the north side of Tigre Pyramid (Fig. 25), which had been constructed initially in 2008 was improved and modified in 2009 in preparation for the tons of materials (stone and mortar) that will need to move up the north side of the structure for stabilization and conservation of the upper portions of the building.

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Str. 4D3-4. Excavations on Structure 4D3-4, a small platform located on the upper platform of Tigre at the center of the triadic group (Fig. 26) was continued by Laura Velásquez which, like Structure 4D3-2, was heavily damaged by exposure to the elements and possibly some intentional mutilation in the distant past. This structure will serve as a Licenciatura thesis for Laura in San Carlos University.

Str. 4D3-1. Velazquez also conducted excavations at the base of the primary dominant structure of the triadic group on Tigre, an area which had been previously excavated in part by Richard Hansen in 1982. She exposed the northern façade and base of the stairway of Structure 4D3 – 1 (Fig. 27, Fig 28). One of the important discoveries on the summit of Tigre was the continual appearance of projectile points, with obsidian from the highlands of Mexico (Pachuca, Otumba, Paredon, Otumba) (Fig 29), and chert points from the Maya Lowlands (Fig 30), in what has been previously identified as a battle scene between the Highland Mexicans from Teotihuacan, and the Lowland Maya (Hansen 1984). The extraordinary concentration of projectile points, axes, and destruction on the principal platform of Tigre suggests that the area must have been the site of a military conflict, perhaps as late as the Early Classic period, long after most of the site had been abandoned. In 2009, Velasquez found the “smoking gun” of battlefield scenarios, with human skeletal remains on the primary platform and green obsidian points imbedded in the remains (Fig. 31, Fig 32, Fig. 33). In an area along the northeastern corner of the primary structure of Tigre, an intrusive pit was found with human remains scattered among the fill, which suggests that additional human remains may be found in the area in upcoming field seasons.

Additional studies are now being conducted on the projectile points in the U.S. that may shed much more information about the origin of the obsidian, the use and function of the points, and the potential recovery of blood residue research on the points.

Str. 4D3-2. Excavation of the south facade of northern building, Structure 4D3-2 was supervised by Licda. Monica Pellecer, exposing the entirety of the façade (Fig. 34).

Excavations revealed the narrow passageway between Str. 4D3-1 and Str. 4D3-2 as well as the south western side of the northern building with Early Classic period ceramic caches, burned human bone, and whole vessels found in dense ash deposits about 30 to 60 cm above the floor (Op. 01dd, 01ee, 01ff, 01gg) (Fig. 35, Fig. 36). The façade of this building was heavily damaged due to environmental exposure and perhaps intentional mutilation and has proven to be a very difficult excavation. Due to its importance and prominence, however, it will remain under investigation to identify the largest possible amount of architectural features and provide necessary stabilization and consolidation.

- Cascabel Cascabel Structure 200. Major excavations in the Cascabel Group located on the northern side of the massive Leon Complex at El Mirador resulted in the horizontal exposure of the facades of Structures 200 and 204. Structure 200 excavations were supervised by Landon Hansen and Richard Hansen in 2008, and by Edgar Ortega and Richard Hansen in 2009. The 2009 excavations continued the exposure of the south east 21 | P a g e

façade and corner of the building (Fig. 37, Fig 38). Excavations exposed the massive blocks of the original wall as well as the remains of two stairways at the base of the building. An architectural mask was exposed at the base of the building which had been cut in half and partially removed. The removal of the mask in antiquity created the area for an ancient intrusive tunnel which penetrated about 3 meters into the structure during the Early Classic period. The reasons for such an intrusion are unknown, but it is possible that the work was some sort of looting venture by inhabitants or visitors during the Early Classic period. Continued excavations to the east of the exposed stairway revealed the corner and the buttress wall formation, indicating the sophistication of early architecture in the Maya Lowlands. Several large trees had to be painstakingly removed from this area of the excavation, requiring tedious time consuming efforts to protect all available intact architecture.

Excavations of a tunnel (Op. 200F), which was placed into the building on the west side of the central staircase, was continued during the 2009 season (Fig. 39). Excavations revealed that the entire building was built in a single effort during the Middle Preclassic period (600 B.C.-400 B.C.) (Fig. 40, Fig. 41, Fig. 42), suggesting that the structures in the Cascabel group are among the earliest in the entire architectural corpus at El Mirador. The tunnel penetrated to the interior side of the exterior wall on the northern side of the building, as well as two excavations to the east from the center line access. These tunnels provided a fairly comprehensive perspective of the entire interior of the building.

A major test pit was placed in the plaza floor to the south of the central stairway of the building (Op. 200h), which revealed a rich sequence of hard plaster floors (Fig 43). The upper floor of the platform had severely deteriorated, no doubt due to its antiquity, but about 1.40 m below the surface, a series of eight superimposed plaster floors had been placed in a sequence, indicating that the Cascabel Group had witnessed major modifications and changes through time during the Middle Preclassic period.

An additional excavation was placed in the Sacalero Causeway to the immediate west of Structure 200. This excavation revealed a rich deposit of Middle Preclassic ceramics and figurine fragments (Fig. 44, Fig 45, Fig. 46), suggesting that the original causeway dates at least to the period between 600 and 400 B.C.

Cascabel Structure 204. Structure 204 was extensively excavated during the 2008 and 2009 field seasons, with a horizontal exposure of a majority of the south façade of the building. The work was supervised by Lic. Gustavo Martinez. The 2009 exposures revealed stairways in good condition, particularly on the second level of the structure, as well as a sequence of platforms, walls, and facades (Fig. 47, Fig 48). The ceramics recovered on top of the floors suggested an extensive utilization of the building by the Terminal Preclassic period (Fig 49, Fig. 50, Fig 51) , but ceramics recovered from an intrusive looters’ excavation on the east side of the primary building suggest that it too, like Structure 200, dates to the Middle Preclassic period (Fig 52, Fig 53, Fig. 54). The notion of monumental architecture constructed in the Middle Preclassic period at El Mirador makes the site relatively contemporaneous with Nakbe, and provides a greater understanding of the importance of El Mirador in the initial demographic development of the area.

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- Leon Plaza Structure 226, Monument 21.

ISU Archaeological Field School / Universidad de Madrid student Pilar Vasquez conducted large horizontal scale excavations at the base of Str. 226, a large triadic platform located on the east side of the Leon Group Plaza to the south of the elongated platform of the E-Group compound. The excavations were designed to recover fragments of a large shattered stela that were scattered in the area (Fig. 55). This monument, discovered by Carlos Morales in mapping of the area and named Monument 21, had been mutilated in antiquity and numerous fragments were spread over a wide area at the base of the structure. Furthermore, Monument 21 was found to have been carved on both sides, similar to Nakbe Stela 1 and El Mirador Stela 2. The fragment of the monument has revealed an exceptional detail of the carved surface, although it is in fairly shallow relief.

Night time photos under stringent lighting conditions show that the intact portion of the monument depicts a human arm clasping a large object to the chest (serpent bar?) and portions of a belt and belt head (Fig 56). Excavations determined also that the monument had probably been reset in a later (Classic period?) small surface structure because it lacked direct contact with the plaster floor and platform of the plaza.

Horizontal excavations also revealed that the plaster floor of the Leon plaza had stucco relief on the floor surface of the plaza which was attached to the base of a low platform (Fig 57). The art was probably associated with decorative art on the low wall of the platform. Such decoration of the plaza floor has previously escaped detection, and additional work in the future will reveal the nature of the available art on the floor.

- Danta Pyramid The Danta Complex was the center of greatest concentration of operational staff in the 2009 field season, mainly with regard to stabilization and conservation of the massive architecture with great efforts focused on the upper central structure of the Triadic arrangement, Structure 2A8-2 and the north structure 2A8-1. Efforts during the 2009 field season finished the stabilization and consolidation of the upper west faรงade of the summit structure as well as the stabilization and consolidation of the northern and southern facades of the upper building (Fig. 58, Fig. 59). The original stairway had been partially destroyed by the Terminal Late Classic occupants of the structure, but the impressions where the massive blocks had been were still evident in the fill of the building. These impressions were stabilized and consolidated so that the appearance to the visitor is that the stairway is in place (Fig. 60, Fig. 61). All scaffolding, platforms, ropes, and frameworks were removed from off the face of the upper structures, and the building is considered consolidated. Selected trees were left on the upper surface of the building to provide shade, but the species of trees were those that did not grow to large sizes and that did little damage to the selected architecture.

Third Platform, Danta. Excavations continued in 2009 in the exposure of the basal terrace walls located at the base of the third platform of the Danta Complex. The base of the third platform of Danta consist of finely preserved massive blocks of the lower central staircase, placed end to end, which were remarkably preserved (Fig 62). The upper levels of the central staircase appear to have been removed during the Late Classic period, either 23 | P a g e

for stone construction or lime burning activities. The basal Late Preclassic walls of the lower base had massive stones placed with the long axis into the building, typical of the Late Preclassic construction on this building (Fig 63). The work was supervised by Francisco Lopez, and Sheryl Carcuz. The excavations also continued the exposure of the remains of a debris and garbage midden dating to the Late Classic and terminal Late Classic periods (A.D. 700-900) which had been dumped over the stairway and faรงade from the occupants in the upper areas of the building, and provided a wealth of information including ceramics, figurines, bone, shell, stone tools and lithic debitage, in great abundance (representing tons of bags of ceramics and artifacts). The analyses of these materials will provide a broad view of the diet, ceramic use, and activities of the terminal Classic occupants that lived on the abandoned Preclassic building.

- Pava Complex Excavations continued in the Pava Complex, located on the first platform of the Danta pyramid and consisted of the horizontal exposure of the upper building of Pava pyramid (Fig 64). The primary Pava pyramid is located on the east side of the Danta platform and the 2009 season consisted of the minor stabilization of existing stucco, while the major consolidation of the summit is still pending. However, the exposure of the upper and lower central stairways of the building were conducted during the 2009 season (Fig 65).

Both the upper and lower stairways were badly damaged and weathered by environmental causes, but in fairly good condition considering the antiquity of the structure and the fact that the stones in the lower stairway had not been plundered as they had been on Danta.

Stones appear to have been partially removed on the upper stairway of the second platform. Edgar Suyuc continued the supervision of the excavations, which included a tunnel at the base of the second platform of the building to determine the architectural sequences of the building and to recover a sample of ceramics that were completely isolated from any subsequent use of the building. Architectural elements now exposed include well-preserved features such as the upper and lower central staircase, the remains of the upper chamber, the poorly preserved remains of the two large masks flanked the staircase, and the remains of the walls of the east and west facades.

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Sacalero Group Test pit excavations were conducted in the area of major architecture fround to the north/northwest area of the site known as the Sacalero Group, located on the northwestern side of the major bajo along the west side of the civic center. Excavations conducted by Enrique Hernandez (USAC), Carlos Morales (USAC), Douglas Mauricio (USAC), and Kara Nickels (U California San Diego) included test pits in the platforms showing rich stratigraphic associations (Fig. 66, Fig. 67), and excavations along the wall at the entrance into group, including the discovery of lime plaster directly placed on a clay surface (Fig. 68, Fig. 69). Several excavations were also made in the causeway that joins the Sacalero to the Cascabel Group at El Mirador, as well as excavations in the bajo along the causeway. The Sacalero Causeway is easily viewed from the air, but was extremely difficult to find on the ground because of massive siltation that originated from the arroyo that channels water out of the site. Josie Thompson located the causeway with a Global 24 | P a g e

Positioning System and a trail was cleared on the causeway all the way to the Sacalero Group, saving the excavation teams about 3 hours of walking per day to get to the area.

One of the most significant discoveries was the identity of a substantial Middle Preclassic population in the Sacalero Group, consistent with the dating of the early large architecture in the Cascabel Group (Fig. 70, Fig. 71). The fact that the causeway, the Sacalero Group, and the Cascabel group are contemporaneous in the Middle Preclassic period suggests that this area of the city must have been the earlier initial center of occupation.

The presence of an Early Classic occupation was also found on the surface and upper portions of the excavations.

Excavations by Kara Nickels in the bajo adjacent to the Sacalero Causeway detected the extreme depth (3 + meters) of the sedimentation of clay over what is believed to be the dark organic layer that formed the original cival (swamp) surface (Fig 72). Her excavations on the causeway also revealed that part of the causeway was constructed in clay which had been subsequently plastered over (Fig 73). More work is being planned in future seasons to understand the architectural and natural sequences of the bajo formation and the related web of causeways that cross it to the north and east of the civic center of the site.

- Jaguar Paw Temple, Structure 34 Preliminary emergency consolidation work was undertaken on the eastern panel on the western façade of the Jaguar Paw Temple due to severe root intrusion that had penetrated the stucco and jeopardized the integrity of the panels. The panels had originally been excavated by Richard Hansen in 1981, but were carefully reburied with finely sifted dirt.

This strategy, while allowing the stucco to “breathe” and maintain a consistent temperature and humidty, created a haven for root intrusions, and extensive roots had penetrated much of the plaster surface during the nearly 30 years. Enrique Monterroso Tun and Marco Tulio Enamorado began procedures to stabilize the panels, including the re-excavation and exposure of the original colors of the panels (Fig. 74). Much of this stabilization and conservation work will need to continue in the 2010 season to insure permanent visibility of the art.

Exploration and Excavations in La Gloria.

The La Gloria area is a previously unexplored area in the southern and southeastern sections of the Mirador Basin.

Previous minor preliminary explorations indicated a large concentration of early cities, much like that of the northern part of the Basin. The area is considered somewhat controversial because of an industrial logging concession that was assigned to the region. Together with the Instituto de Antropologia and the Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos, and Carlos Barrios Quan of the La Gloria Concession, the Mirador Basin project carried out archaeological reconnaissance in the southern and central area of the concession which encompassed an area of approximately 80 square kilometers (see map, Fig. 1). The research included mapping, test excavations, identification and salvage of looters’ trenches, and stabilization of threatened architecture. Work in 2009 included the work at the sites of Yucatan, a minor site with 31 structures reaching up to 4 meters high built around 10 plazas; Las Cojolitas, a minor site with 45 structures built around 14 plazas with 25 | P a g e

platforms up to 2 meters in height and structures up to 2.5 meters in height; Las Chatias, a large site with 200 structures in 53 groups with buildings that appear to be palace structures and buildings up to 10 meters in height and 90 meters long; Chacah’Ab, a medium size site with 134 buildings in 37 plaza groups with structures up to 6 meters in height; Tun Tun, a medium size site with 173 buildings around 48 plaza groups and structures from 2 to 3 meters in height; El Civalón, a small site with 36 buildings in 12 plaza groups with the majority of structures between 2 and 4 meters in height, but with one building exceeding 15 meters in height; Haleb, a medium size site with 19 plaza groups with structures between 2 and 3.5 meters in height; Ix K’alak, a medium size site with 19 plaza groups and buildings up to 4 meters in height and 55 meters long; and el Tintalito, a medium size site with 83 structures in 24 plaza groups and buildings up to 10 meters in height.

All sites had been looted to some extent, and all looters’ trenches were recorded noting location and identification by students Julio Cotom, Josue Garcia, and Antonio Portillo (U of San Carlos). Looters’ trenches were cleaned, drawn in some cases, and artifacts collected that had been left behind by looters. For example, the site of Yucatan had 99 looters’ trenches from which 2 burials were recovered and 7 ceramic vessels. The site of Las Cojolitas had 69 trenches, Las Chatias had 554 looters’ trenches and recovery of 3 burials, 30 ceramic vessels, lithic artifacts, and ceramics from several different periods of time. The site of Chacah’Ab had a number of buildings that were entirely unlooted, but the few that were recorded allowed recovery of 27 vessels, several unusual potsherds, and fragments of modeled stucco. The site of Tun Tun, on the other hand, had 205 looters’ trenches, with the recovery of 14 vessels and the site of El Civalon had 56 looters’ trenches. El Tintalito had 176 looters trenches, and 5 vessels were recovered. Haleb had 97 trenches with a vessel and a fragment of a bowl, while the site Ix K’alak had 206 looters trenches and evidence of re-excavation of older looters’ trenches in two groups.

Test pits of 1 x 1 m in size were placed at the base of structures in the sites of El Yucatan (5 pits), Las Cojolitas (9 pits), las Chatias (5 pits), Chacab’ab (3 pits), and Tun Tun (1 pit).

Excavations indicate a Late Preclassic occupation, a surprising presence of some Early Classic materials, and Late Classic occupations.

The collaboration and support of Ing. Carlos Barrios Quan is acknowledged for the permission to work in the logging concession. The work was directed by Lic. Hector Mejia with Guatemalan students Julio Cotom, Antonio Portillo, Josue Garcia, and Laura Velasquez, and a team of experienced workmen.

Environmental Studies -

Flora The 2009 season included a continuation of the multidisciplinary studies such as the outstanding forestry study by Ingeniero Cesar Castaneda, director of the Agronomy and Forestry department at la Universidad del Valle, Guatemala. Castañeda has worked tirelessly to conduct a survey of the entire botanical inventory of the Basin (Fig. 75). He also has worked with the sequence of ecological succession and the identification of macro and micro flora in Mirador Basin, with attention to the five types of tropical forest found within the natural borders of the area. The research will allow publication of the volume during the 2010 year.

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-

Entomology Biologist Dr.

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Mammalian Studies

Jack Schuster, director of the Entomology laboratory at the Universidad del Valle, Guatemala, continued the inventory of the entire insect populations in the Mirador Basin area during the 2009 year, with identification of 784 species currently (2009) (Fig. 76). This work was done with Jose Monzon, Faustino Camposeco, Jacqueline Camacho of the Laboratory of Systematic Entomology of Del Valle University, and Daniel Herbin of France. This study is expected to intensify over the next five years and extend it to other fields of biology. One of the most significant discoveries of the 2009 season was the discovery 10 new species of moths which appear to be unique only to the Mirador Basin (Fig. 77). The work on the identification and naming of the species is currently underway in the laboratories of Del Valle University in Guatemala City and a publication is now forthcoming by Herbin and Monzon entitled “Description of five new species of Mimallonidae (Lepidoptera: Mimallonaoidea: Mimallonidae) and two new species of Bombycidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Bombycidae) from the Mirador Basin in Northern Guatemala.� Three additional new species have been identified but are currently being processed. This exciting and unique opportunity provides additional importance and justification for the conservation of the Mirador Basin.

Work was continued in 2009 on a database and documentation of skeletal remains of fauna found during previous archaeological excavations. Laboratory work was carried out by zoologist Hugo Enriquez Ortiz of the Museum of Natural History at San Carlos University. The work by Ortiz has identified the species and nature of species recovered from El Mirador, Nakbe, Tintal, La Florida, and Wakna, and will provide new insights into diet and animal health and husbandry during the Preclassic and Classic periods.

Previous studies in 2008 allowed an examination of a total of 111 animal individuals representing 17 species of vertebrates, with 14 species of mammals, 3 species of reptiles, and 14 taxonomic families. The continuing studies are providing new insights into the ancient landscape systems, isotope data, and the human response to environmental conditions.

Social/ Educational/Developmental Programs An important component of the research and conservation work in the Mirador Basin has been the social, educational, and developmental work with the communities that surround the Mirador Basin. The purpose of such activity is to provide economic alternatives to the negative forces that destroy the environment, the archaeological sites, and individual lives and families. It has been tremendously gratifying to see the achievements and accomplishments of people who traditionally have had so little hope. The opportunities that are provided by the project represent a major advantage for the protection and preservation area, and represent a real solution to many of the problems facing Guatemala and the Lowland communities that live adjacent to the Mirador Basin region.

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- Computer Training for Villages

During the 2009 year, the Mirador Basin project provided a trained computer teacher (Elvis Tun Marin) for the communitiy of Carmelita, with classes taught in Carmelita to 60 children from 2nd through the 6th grades. In addition, 19 adolescent female and male students are also enrolled in computer classes but attended with less regularity. Computer classes for Cruce a la Colorada were canceled because of the unauthorized removal of the computers, and classes were suspended until the computers are returned.

- Literacy and Educational Training The Mirador Basin Project taught literacy courses to 124 workmen in evening classes after work, with the majority learning to read and write their names, read elementary texts, and read and write numbers (Fig. 78, Fig 79, Fig 80, Fig 81, Fig. 82). Math courses were also taught for basic home and business financial calculations. In addition, educational classes were taught to all 168 workmen on subjects ranging from history, ecology, financial investing, hygiene, health and first aid, archaeology, photography, investment strategies, botany, and biology. In addition, English classes were taught to interested workmen who needed to learn English for tourism services in the future. A total of 22 workmen received English courses in 2009. Courses were taught by project staff in the evenings.

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Accessibility The 2009 season was the first year after the installation of the interpretive panels designed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the FARES Foundation, and the Mirador Basin Project with the approval of the Instituto de Antropologia e Historia (IDAEH) of Guatemala (Fig. 84, Fig 85).

These panels were designed after lengthy investigation and interaction between Rebecca Wiles, Cynthia Perera, Wayne Howell, Richard Hansen, Edgar Suyuc, Adelzo Pozuelos, Enrique Hernandez, Nora Lopez, Josie Thompson, and Salvador Lopez with the idea of creating informative information rendered on new technological innovations in signage that would withstand the rigorous environmental conditions as well as provide the visitor with meaningful interpretation (Fig. 86, Fig 87). The first groups of panels were placed in Flores, Carmelita, and El Mirador.

Several additional panels were made in Guatemala City with the names of sponsors, but these panels were vastly inferior to the panels made in the U.S. with the outstanding technology, and one has already been broken by strong winds. The quality of the panels in the US have proven to be advantageous in face of the harsh conditions, and all future panels to be designed and constructed in 2010 need to be of the DOI quality. This technology is not yet available in Guatemala. Future panels will be placed in several additional areas of El Mirador and other key sites in the Mirador Basin.

Laser Scanning of Frieze, Monuments and Structures at El Mirador The 2009 season was first initiated with a laser scanning project of the Mirador Frieze, monuments, and structures by the University of Southern Florida, under the direction of Dr. Travis Doering and Dr. Lori Collins and a team of students and project workers (Fig. 88). The use of this extremely sophisticated technology was to provide a detailed record of the panels prior to any stabilization or conservation measures. In addition, scans were taken of monuments (Stela 2) and buildings (Str. 34). The technology, which involves millions of points per minute of digital data, allows precise 3-D imaging of art and architecture that is unavailable in drawings or photographs. The Central Acropolis frieze panels, Mirador Stela 2, and Structure 34 were selected for scanning, providing a heretofore unavailable precise image and drawing of the art and architecture (Fig. 89, 90). The scanning of Stela 2, for example, removed all subjective interpretation of the finely incised hieroglyphic texts on the raised panel and allowed a more accurate perspective of the art and epigraphy (Fig 91). The scanning of the frieze will provide the permanent 3-D perspective of the art that can be viewed from any angle in its archaeological and architectural context, as well as allow precise replication of the art. Subsequent data processing was carried out in the laboratories of the University of Southern Florida.

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Summary of Field Excavation and Conservation Activities Test Excavations -

Throughout the site El Mirador (Operations 109 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, R, T, U. V, X, Y, Z, AA, BB ). Test pits and major horizontal exposures to determine evidence of non-visible residential structures, and to utilize excavations for camp logistic purposes. Excavations were supervised by Kara Nickels (Univerisity of California, San Diego/ ISU Field School), Mark Luzmoor (U of Wyoming/ISU Field School), Michael Stewart (College of Southern Idaho/ ISU Field School), Laura Velasquez (USAC), Douglas Mauricio (USAC), Carlos Morales (USAC), Enrique Hernandez (USAC), Craig Argyle (ISU/ ISU Field School), Edgar Ortega (USAC), Sarah Casson (ISU Field School), Pilar Vasquez (U Madrid/ISU Field School).

La Danta Pyramid -

-

Finalized stabilization and consolidation of the upper, primary structure of Danta pyramid and the north triadic structure.Western faรงade, north wall, south wall stabilized and finalized. All scaffolding and construction platforms removed. Central stairway exposed and consolidated (Enrique Monterroso Tun, Enrique Monterroso Rosado, Marco Tulio Enamorado).

Continued excavation and stabilization of the facade of the Third Level of Danta, Operations 400 UU (Francisco Lopez), 400 XX (Sheryl Carcuz)

Tigre Pyramid (West Group) -

Continued excavations of upper main platform of Structure 4D3-1, 4D3-2 4D3-4; Consolidation and stabilization.

Excavation of the western sector of 4D3-2 and stabilization of the southern faรงade of building. Operations 01DD, 10EE, 01FF, and 01 GG; (Licda Monica Pellicer) Excavation along the east face of the central dominant structure of the Tigre triad group.

Operations: 01-O, 01P, 01Q, 01R, 01 S, 01T, 01U; (Laura Velasquez) Adjustments and finalization of construction ramp up north side of Tigre for mortar, stone, and lime elevation from ground level to upper platform. (Enrique Monterroso Tun, Enrique Monterroso Rosado).

Structure 34, (Jaguar Paw Temple) -

Excavation, stabilization and consolidation of the western mask and associated earflare panels depicting jaguar paws. Original colors exposed (Enrique Monterroso Tun, Marco Tulio Enamorado).

Structure 200 (Cascabel) -

Excavations of the east side of Str. 200, revealing the corner and architectural features; Test pit excavation in the platform of Str. 200; Excavation of the Sacalero Causeway; Continuing excavation of a tunnel through the structure; Earliest structure yet identified on the surface at El Mirador, early occupations of Middle Preclassic El Mirador. Operations 30 | P a g e

-

200F (tunnel), 200G (Corner), 200 H (test pit), 200-I (causeway), 200 J (east side).

(Edgar Ortega, Dr. Richard D. Hansen).

Structure 204 (Cascabel) - Exposure of the façade, staircase, several terraces architecture and architectural art. Salvage of a looter’s excavation. Evidence of terminal Preclassic utilization on outside, but structure built in Middle Preclassic period, contemporaneous with Str. 200. Operations 204H-U (upper part of staircase on second platform), 204H-V (East side of the south façade of the 3rd platform), 204H-W (west lateral structure on 3rd platform), 204H-X (excavations on west side of 2nd platform), 204H-Y (excavation of lower staircase on 2nd platform), 204H-Z (southeast corner of first platform ), 204N, 204-O (looter salvage), 204P (2nd level of west side of south façade of first platform), 204Q (top of first platform, base of 2nd). Lic. Gustavo Martinez

Structure 304 (Acropolis Central) -

Continued excavation of the northern stairway of the Central Acropolis, expansion to the later sides of the platform. Stabilization and consolidation of the stela platform.

Operations: 304 GG, 304 L, 304M, 304ñ, 304-O, 304P, 304Q, 304R. (Licda. Carmen Ramos).

Structure 313-314 (Central Acropolis) -

-

Exposing the east basal facade of this structure. Operations 313T-d (excavation at base of wall collapse on east side), 313 V (lower stair and partial façade of structure on northeast corner base of Str. 313), 313 W (exposure of structure at northeast base of Str. 313), 313X (first 3 layers of outer wall at northeast facade base of Str. 313), 313 Y (excavation of interior sloped wall at northeast base façade of Str. 313), (Licda. Beatriz Balcarcel).

Structure 315 (Central Acropolis) – Exposing the Staircase, central chamber of the upper room of structure. Operations 315C (exposure of upper chamber), 315D (exposure of the south west façade of Str. 315), 315E (extension to the west of south west wall of building), 315F (extension to south of 315D exposing more of south west façade wall). (Licda Beatriz Balcarcel).

Pava Pyramid -

Preliminary stabilization of the main building top of the pyramid Pava and associated masks and stairs, as well as major excavation of the upper and lower central stairways of the building. (Lic. Edgar Suyuc)

Water System (Central Acropolis) (Operation 610) -

Images of the Frieze in the Central Acropolis were scanned with University of Florida laser scanners for accurate recording of every detail before consolidation and stabilization began; Excavation and stabilization of lower panel; excavation of the second swimming figure on lower panels, and more images in stucco revealed to the east on the upper panels. Excavations conducted on the east side of the water collection system for

Mapping: Continuation of use of high-tech Total Station equipment with the same professional company from Guatemala City (DEPIC). Focus was on areas to the north and 31 | P a g e

west, with identification of new architectural groups with structures greater than 25 meters located in the suburb of Sacalero. This site is located on the edge of the bajo, indicating that the civic center was much larger than thought. Massive Preclassic residence construction is associated with the Sacalero Causeway, which is linked to the Middle Preclassic structures of the Cascabel Group at El Mirador.

Explorations, excavations, investigations, mapping in the La Gloria Area: o Explorations, test pit excavations, salvage of looters’ trenches, and mapping at the previously unknown sites (9) of Yucatan, Las Cojolitas, Las Chatias, Chacah’ab, Tun Tun, Civalón, Heleb, Ix K’alak, and Tintalito. First time exploration and identification for these minor and medium size sites, all with modest to medium size architecture and complex settlement patterns.

Social /Educational/ Developmental Programs Summary o Computer training for Villages. The Mirador Basin project provided a trained computer teacher (Elvis Tun Marin) for the communities of Carmelita, Cruce a la Colorada, and Dos Aguadas, with classes taught in Carmelita to 42 children from 2nd through the 6th grades from February to December 2009. In addition, 6 adolescent female and 10 male students are also enrolled in computer classes, and efforts are underway to incorporate evening classes for adults in the village of Carmelita. o Literacy and Educational Training. Mirador Basin Project taught literacy courses to 111 workmen, with the majority learning to read and write their names, read elementary texts, and able to read and write numbers. Math courses also taught for basic home and business financial calculations. o Interpretive Panels in Flores, Carmelita, El Mirador. The Mirador Basin Project, FARES, GHF, PACUNAM, APANAC, IDAEH and the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) worked together to organize and place the interpretive panels in Flores, Carmelita and El Mirador. Many more panels are currently being prepared for placement throughout the Mirador area. Panels were written by the Mirador Basin Project, designed by DOI, fabricated by KVO industries, shipped to Guatemala by DOI, transported by the Mirador Basin project from Guatemala to Carmelita and then by helicopter to El Mirador, and, finally installed by the Mirador Basin project with protective polycarbonate roofs over each panel to protect them from elements and sunlight. The interpretive panels represent the finest technology currently available, and the quality of the panels is exemplary.

Additional panels are currently being written and designed for placement throughout the Basin to maintain consistency and quality throughout the entire area.

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RESOLUTION ON MIRADOR-CALAKMUL BASIN PASSED at Wild 9 World Wilderness Congress Merida, Nov. 2009 Josephine Thompson (FARES), Julio Cotom (Mirador Basin), and Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES) attended the Wild 9 World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico, Nov. 7-13, 2009 (Fig. 98).

Hansen was a keynote speaker at the event on November 9 with a presentation entitled the “Mirador Basin/Reino Kan, Guatemala: The Role of Wilderness Past and Present” (Fig. 99, Fig. 100). Josie Thompson and Julio Cotom did drafting, signatures, articles for the paper, set up of maps and information at a booth, and the drafting of a resolution (Fig. 101). The resolution received more comments (all favorable) than any other resolution of the congress.

The entire resolution can be viewed on http://www.wild.org/blog/resolution-37-conservation-ofthe-miradorcalakmul-cultural-and-natural-system/

Resolution 37: Conservation of the Mirador-Calakmul cultural and natural system/Conservación del Sistema Cultural y Natural Mirador-Calakmul November 12,2009 by Emily Loose

WHEREAS, The geographic area known as the Mirador Cultural and Natural System is located between the states of Campeche, Mexico and the northern area of Department of Peten, Guatemala and contains unique cultural and biological resources. This pristine forest and the unparalleled early and large archaeological sites within a defined geographic area provide a unique opportunity to establish a roadless wilderness cultural and natural sanctuary with limited population and access. The area, confined in a geographical frame, represents the Cradle of Maya Civilization, and provides sufficient area to avoid genetic congestion, establishes a crucial biological corridor, initiates realistic and sustainable economic opportunities for communities and associated nations, and presents longterm conservation of some of the most important cultural and natural resources in the world.

THEREFORE be it resolved that the Wild 9 World Wilderness Congress, convened on November 9th-13th, 2009 in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico has established a desire and intent to solicit and encourage the governments of Mexico and Guatemala to define and establish a bi-national, roadless, wilderness preserve in the Calakmul/Mirador Cultural and Natural System Area.

RESOLVED that the executive committee of WILD9 Mérida will submit a statement of resolution to the Governments of Guatemala and Mexico that this world congress recommends the definition and establishment of a wilderness preserver in the Mirador/Calakmul cultural and natural system. The Cradle of Maya Civilization should be established as a wilderness preserve in perpetuity.

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DOI Receives Major Grant for 2010 Year for Mirador BasinCuatro Balam Cynthia Perera, of the Office of International Affairs for the U.S. Department of Interior has announced the appropriation of approximately $1 million dollars for projects related to security, interpretation, and assistance for the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the Mirador Basin and the Cuatro Balam projects. LANGUAGE DESIGNATING FUNDS: Specifically, the language from the law that designates these funds is recommending $1,000,000 for conservation and related programs of the Department of Interior in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala. The conferees direct USAID to consult with the Committee on Appropriations on a multi-year strategy for forest and archeological conservation in the Petén region of Guatemala. The funding should be available sometime between June and August of 2010. This is a HUGE accomplishment, and one that is timely and needed. The DOI will work with FARES, WCS, PACUNAM, Association Balam and several other NGO’s working in the area. Congratulations to the DOI teams.

FUNDING for related project in the Mirador Basin by FUNDESA and the Program for Sustainable Development in Peten (Government of Guatemala-InterAmerican Development Bank) Two major accomplishments during 2009 have been the procurement of major funding by the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FUNDESA) of $1.2 million for tourism development and infrastructure in the communities surrounding the Mirador Basin. Another major funding has been channeled by Eduardo Cofiño, the Presidential Commissioner for the Development of Peten into the tourism infrastructure and basic requirements for tourism development within the Mirador Basin itself. This fund, which totals $3 million, will allow construction of bathrooms, water collection facilities, tourist assistance centers, and visitors centers at several key sites throughout the Mirador Basin and surrounding communities.

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2009 Events and Activities JANUARY Jan 11-27 J. Bacchus Taylor and students from the Bellingham, Washington Explorations Academy (high school level) arrived in Guatemala for an intensive study of Guatemala, culminated by a service project to clean the Mirador Trail between Carmelita and El Mirador, resulting in the collections of numerous mule trains of bottles, plastic, and cans.

Jan 13 Mirador Basin staff and students from San Carlos University Carlos Morales Aguilar and photographer Claudine Escobar Durand are married.

Jan 23-25 Royal family from Abu Dahbi arrives with a major entourage in a large private jet. His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan and a group of close colleagues came to Guatemala (Fig. 102). Dr. Richard Hansen was asked to accompany them through Tikal and provide evening lectures. Discussions led to interest to participate in the Mirador Basin project, and an invitation was issued for them to return to Guatemala to see the Basin.

Jan 26-27 French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum visits Mirador with staff and guided

by Richard Hansen, Enrique Hernandez, Adelzo Pozuelos, and other members of the staff.

FEBRUARY Feb 16-22 Stanford University tour to El Mirador and Mirador Basin with Dr. Richard Hansen and Dr. James Fox (Fig. 103).

Feb 18 Mexican ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola Nicolín hosted a dinner with the Spanish and French ambassadors. Claudias Rosales (PACUNAM) and Hansen (FARES) invited.

Feb 22 French Embassy dinner for Stephane Martin, President of the Quai Branly museum in Paris. Fernando Paiz, Jose Miguel Torrebiarte, Willey Kaltschmidt, Claudia Rosales, and Richard Hansen attended.

Feb 23 Guatemalan archaeologist Juan Antonio Valdes receives “Order of the National Cultural Heritage” in the National Palace. Mirador Basin staff and R. Hansen attend.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom invites Richard Hansen to a private lunch in the Presidential Palace Reception in the Ministerio Relaciones Exteriores, French Ambassador residency.

Pacunam and FARES members attend.

Feb. 24 Norwegian ambassador Lars Vaagen invites Hansen to a private lunch to discuss conservation measures in the Mirador Basin.

State dinner provided by the MInistery of Culture. Fernando Paiz, Jose Miguel Torrebiarte, Francois and Nini Berger, Richard Hansen attended.

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Feb 25-27 Stephan Martin, President of the Quai Branly museum in Paris (Fig. 104) , French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum, several representatives from the Guatemalan ministry of foreign relations, and Dr. Richard Hansen flew by helicopter to El Mirador and Tikal to see the site and determine potential involvement of the Quai Branly museum in the Mirador Basin project.

Feb 27 Ministerior de Relaciones Exteriores had a round table to discuss cultural issues with authorities from French Government; Hansen invited to sit with Guatemalan authorities and discuss the Quai Branly possibilites, possibilities of collaboration with the Mirador Basin project, long term international cooperation possibilities.

MARCH Mar 5-7 Press release at El Mirador about the Central Acropolis panels (Fig. 105, Fig. 106, Rig. 107, Fig. 108) . Present at the event were Vice President of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada, Director of Conap Claudia Santizo, Governor of Peten Rudel Alvarez, Director of Mirador-Rio Azul National Park Francisco Asturias, Minister of Culture Geronimo Lancerio, Vice Minister of Culture Dr. Hector Escobedo, Francois Berger (APANAC-FARES-Guatemala), Jose Miguel Torrebiarte (PACUNAM), Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), Norwegian Ambassador Lars Vaagen, French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum, Fernando Paiz (PACUNAM), Alfred Kaltschmidt (APANAC), Richard Hansen (FARES). Major coverage world-wide, with numerous press representatives.

President Alvaro Colom was scheduled to appear, but had to cancel at the last minute because of pressing governmental issues in Guatemala City.

Mar 6 Mesa multi-sectorial to discuss the Master Plan for the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park and the routes of access. Lic. Edgar Suyuc (Mirador Basin), Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), and Richard Hansen (FARES attended).

Mar 21 Mirador Basin Project staff members Adelzo Pozuelos (USAC) and Vanessa Rodens (U of Bonn) are married in Antigua, Guatemala.

APRIL April 1 Hansen presentation to ASOREMA, the association of Environmental Groups in Guatemala about the Mirador Basin.

April 17 Alain Berger (APANAC) and Claudia (fiancé) are married in civil ceremony in Guatemala. They grew close to each other on a trekking expedition to El Mirador.

April 25-27 Guatemala theme of the “Maya World” (Mundo Maya) was presented at the International Travel Tourism conference TIANGUIS, held in Acapulco, Mexico (Fig. 109). The Mirador Basin was presented by Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) as a primary theme. Dr. Richard Hansen presents several keynote presentations at the event, presided by Jose Julio Diaz of INGUAT (Fig. 110).

April 28 Nini Novella de Berger (APANAC) receives a Distinguished Citizen award from mayor and ex President Alvaro Arzu for her work in protecting and conserving the natural resources of Guatemala.

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April 30 GHF Board Meeting in New York City. Jeff Morgan, Stefaan Portmann, and Richard Hansen attend to make presentations and meet potential sponsors.

MAY May 6 Mirador Basin Project presents scientific papers at CUDEP, (Centro Universitario de Peten) in Flores, Peten. Papers presented by Lic. Hector Mejia, Lic. Cesar Castañeda, Licda. Laura Velasquez, Julio Cotom, and Beatriz Balcarcel.

May 8 PACUNAM meeting with all PACUNAM executive board members and FARES (Hansen).

May 9 Alain and Claudia Asensio de Berger are married in Church ceremony at La Pedrera, and a major reception held on the grounds. John and Kirsten Swift and Jody and Richard Hansen attended from the U.S., along with numerous dignitaries and officials from all over Guatemala and other countries in Latin America and Europe. The couple met on the hike into Mirador with a group of friends.

May 11 Pedro Barnoya of the Guatemalana Chamber of Commerce announces the initial preparation of the Expo Shanghai, the world’s fair to be held in Shanghai, China in 2010.

To date, 225 countries have signed and are beginning construction of pavillions. The theme of the Guatemalan pavillion will be Mirador Basin. Hansen meets with the official committee to plan and coordinate activities.

May 12 The Ambassador of France in Guatemala, Mrs. Michele Ramis-Plum holds a special dinner at the French Residence in Guatemala for the high government officials, members of the Presidency, members of PACUNAM, and FARES to discuss French participation in cultural and natural conservation in Guatemala and to officially announce the acceptance and agreement of the French government and the Quai Branly museum in Paris to sponsor the special exhibition on Maya Archaeology with an emphasis on the Mirador Basin in June through October of 2011.

May 13-14 Hansen flies to meet with Lic. Fernando and Anabella Paiz and and Francis Robicsek in Charlotte, North Carolina to observe the Robicsek collection and the collection at Duke University for possible participation in the exposition that will be taking place at the Quai Branly museum in Paris, France in 2011. Fernando Paiz is recuperating from open heart sugery that took place in Charlotte with Dr. Robicsek.

May 15-16 FARES board meeting at ICON Productions in Santa Monica, California, presided by Mel Gibson, Chairman of the Board, Richard Hansen President, Wayne Howell Vice President, Ken Hitz Vice President, Jody Hansen secretary, and Kerry Arritt treasurer. All FARES board members in Guatemala and US attended.

May 20 Celebration of the International Day of Museums at the Carlos F. Novella Museum in Guatemala City at an evening event entitled “ Museums and Tourism” (Museos y Turismo) with the inauguration of the new pieces from the Mirador Basin excavations to be displayed in the Mirador Basin Museum (Fig. 111). Speakers included Cristina de Amenabar, Director of the Fundacion Carlos F. Novella, Maria Elena de Arce, director of the Mirador Basin Museum, Samuel Franco, President of the Association of 37 | P a g e

Museums, Minister of Culture Geronimo Lancerio, Vice President of Cementos Progreso Jose Miguel Torrebiarte, and Dr. Richard Hansen, director of the Mirador Basin project (Fig. 112). Numerous government officials, APANAC, PACUNAM, business executives, and most of the ambassadors from many foreign countries attended the event (Fig. 113).

The event was covered by numerous television stations and film teams from Guatemala.

May 21-30 Dr. Travis Doering and Dr. Lori Collins (University of South Florida) begin scanning project at El Mirador, scanning Stela 2, Stela 4, the Central Acropolis Frieze, and Str. 34 (see Figs. 88-91). Lic. Pedro Barnoya and Julio Menesis of the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce flew with Hansen and Toty Maldonado to El Mirador, where they spent the night and flew back on Friday, the 22nd, while the Florida team remained with Enrique Hernandez and Adelzo Pozuelos of the Mirador project at El Mirador doing scanning with the high tech equipment.

May 27 French ambassador convenes business lunch with high Guatemalan government officials, PACUNAM and FARES (Mirador Basin project) to discuss alternatives and initiatives.

May 29 FUNDESA announces the inauguration of a major plan for the touristic and social infrastructure for the Mirador Basin at a conference attended by the authorities of PACUNAM, APANAC, Global Heritage, and FARES. Edgar Heineman of Fundesa Juan Carlos Zapata, Francois Berger of Apanac, and Richard Hansen, FARES, presented talks.

May 30-31 Citibank Regional Executive Suresh Maharaj and his wife June and friends Barry and Gail Sinanan from Trinidad went to Mirador for two days with Richard Hansen to evaluate the results of the strong investment CitiGroup has made in Mirador as sponsors to PACUNAM for the Mirador Basin project. On May 31, the group also went to Tikal (Fig 114).

JUNE June 3 The Ministry of the Environment of Guatemala (MARN) had a special session entitled Placing Value on the Archaoelogical Site of El MIrador through the Installation of Basic Tourism Infrastructure, presided by Minister Dr. Luis Ferrate, Eduardo Cofi単o of the Presidential Commission on Peten, Claudia Santizo Director of Conap, and numerous non-governmental organizations. Francois Berger (APANAC), Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), and Richard Hansen (FARES) were invited to participate in the roundtable session which lasted an entire day.

June 6 The Tikal Peten Club of the International Rotary Club asked Richard Hansen (FARES) to be the keynote speaker at the annual international meeting held in Flores, Peten at the Villa Maya Hotel (Fig. 115). Presiding officials of the Rotary Club included Ing. Agro. Julio Penados aand Jorge Aufranc, Regional Coordinator for Mexico, Central America, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. The presentation culminated in a standing ovation by all members present.

June 17 The US Department of Interior (DOI) section of International Foreign Affairs, directed by Cynthia Perera met with the Asociacion Balam, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and FARES at a special coordination meeting held at the Hotel Barcelo in 38 | P a g e

Guatemala City. Wayne Howell (FARES) and Richard Hansen (FARES) also met with Fidel Giron of the foresty concession Gibor, S.A. to discuss issues of security and long term collaboration.

June 19-21 The international symposium Tombs of the Sacred Lords and the Secrets of Jade was held in Antigua, with speakers such as Dr. Arthur Demarest, Dr. Thomas Barrientos, Minister Geronimo Lancerio, Dr. David Sedat, Dr. Hector Escobedo, Dr. Francisco Estrada-Belli, Federico Fahsen, and Dr. Richard Hansen, among others. The event was organized by Rosendo Morales of Antigua (Fig. 116). Hansen spoke on the burials of the Mirador Basin and the royal tomb at Tintal. Also, numerous television and radio interviews were conducted with numerous participants of the conference (Fig. 117).

June 20-27 Dr. David Augeri, specialist in large cats arrived to evaluate the possibility of continuing the jaguar studies that were initiated by WCS in the Mirador Basin. He hiked into Mirador with members of the Mirador Basin Project and was impressed with the quantity and quality of large feline presence in the Basin.

June 22 The Vice President of Guatemala, Dr. Rafael Espada, invited Licda. Claudia Rosales of PACUNAM and Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES) to a special meeing at the National Palace to discuss the “Sustainable Development of the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park.” Eduardo Cofiño of the Presidential Commission on Peten, Licda Claudia Santizo of CONAP, and numerous other high level officials were present to discuss the tourism opportunities, the products that can be derived and the social, cultural, and environmental impacts of the development. The Vice President opined that by 2015, the Mirador Basin would be entirely self sufficient.

The Ambassador of France, Mrs. Michele Ramis-Plum invited Lic. Juan Carlos Melendez and Dr. Richard Hansen to a business luncheon to discuss strategy and methodology of the upcoming exhibit in Paris.

June 23 Dr. Roberto Labbe (APANAC) and Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES) meet with the Asociacion de Azucareros de Guatemala in a special luncheon presentation about the Mirador Basin in the hopes of obtaining funding for the publication of the tourist maps.

June 24-28 CNN film crews arrive in Guatemala to film in the Mirador Basin (see Figs.

95-97). Anchor Brooke Baldwin, Producer Leif Coorlim and a team of sound and camera specialists flew to Mirador with Jeff Morgan (Global Heritage Fund), Francois Berger (APANAC), Dr. Roberto Labbe, Claudia Rosales, Adelzo Pozuelos, Pedro Cordova, and Richard Hansen. The resultant production was released on a world scale in October of 2009.

JULY July 1-Sept 15. Field excavation programs are initiated at El Mirador directed by Richard Hansen and Edgar Suyuc, and at another group of sites in the southern Mirador Basin directed by Hector Mejia.

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July 10-12 Students arrive for the Idaho State University Field School, with the beginning week at the International Symposium on Guatemalan archaeology held at the National Museum in Guatemala City.

July 13-17 XXIII Symposio de Arqueologia Guatemalteca. International symposium of experts in Guatemalan archaeology. The Mirador Basin project presented the following scientific presentations: Balcarcel, Beatriz, Stephanie Schrodt, and Richard D. Hansen 2009 El Ultimo Suspiro Ceramico del Preclásico Tardio en la zona Cultural Mirador.

Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 62-63.

Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 15 July 2009.

Hansen, Richard D. 2009 El Preclasico de la Cuenca Mirador: Treinta Años de Investigaciones del Genesis Maya. Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p.

23. Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 13 July 2009.

Hansen, Richard D. and Edgar Suyuc 2009 Investigaciones en la Cuenca Mirador: Resultados de la Temporada 2008.

Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 60.

Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 15 July 2009.

Mejia, Hector, Boris Aguilar, Julio Cotom, Hiro Iwamoto, y Antonio Portillo 2009 Rescate Arqueológico en El Pesquero: Un Sitio de Rango Intermedio en el Limite Sur de la Cuenca Mirador. Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 51. Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 14 July 2009.

July 14 Hansen interviewed on Radio Infinita with MartaYolanda Diaz-Duran on a special program broadcast nationally (Fig. 118).

July 15 The embassy of France had a special press conference at the Miraflores Museum to announce the Quai Branly exhibit about Mirador and the donation of pieces by the Fundacion Ruta Maya to the Miraflores Museum, with Fernando Paiz as speaker.

July 16 APANAC hosted two major events to announce the publication of the Tintal tourist maps (Fig. 119). A press conference was held in the Hospital Herrera-Llerandi with presentations by Francois Berger, Dr. Roberto Labbe, the administrators of the 40 | P a g e

Hospital Ing. Franciso Galindo and Sonia Gonzalez, and Dr. Richard Hansen. In the evening, a grand event in the Hotel Camino Real was made to present the information about Tintal to the public and emphasize the importance of the site, with presentations by Francois Berger and Dr. Richard Hansen (Fig. 120, Fig. 121). Nearly 1000 people attended the event, held at the main ballroom of the hotel.

July 17 Dr. Richard Hansen was invited take members of the 14th Congress to El Mirador, and subsequently, on July 18, to Tikal.

July 19 The students for the Idaho State University field school and the staff from the Mirador Basin project start the hike into Mirador from Carmelita.

July 25-31 Professor Brett Blosser arrives at El Mirador with a group of 8 students from the University of California Santa Cruz on an educational field trip.

July 27 Guatemalan Vice President Rafael Espada requested the presence of Dr. Richard Hansen at a special planning session which was held in the offices of the Vice President in the National Palace. Themes discussed were governability, the creation of special forces specialized for conservation, the application of law, control, monitoring, and border management, the conservation and management of resources, the strengthening of institutional forces, and the improvement of the natural and cultural resources.

July 30 The newest member of PACUNAM, the Toyota dealership of Cofi単o-Stahl held an open house and announced the participation in the Mirador Basin Project. Speeches were made by Rolando Saravia, who had previously flown into Mirador and had observed the site personally.

July 31 Guatemalan Vice President Rafael Espada provides the certificates of achievement to the Community Association of Guides, with local guides trained by programs with Asociacion Balam, Counterpart International, INTECAP, and the FARES Foundation. Francois Berger (APANAC), Cynthia Perera (DOI), Mario del Cid (Counterpart International), Jose Julio Diaz (INGUAT), Francisco Asturias (director, Parque Nacional Mirador-Rio Azul), and Richard Hansen (FARES) were asked to attend the event, held at the Hotel Maya International in Flores (Fig. 122).

Guatemalan Vice President Rafael Espada convenes a coordination meeting with the hotel association in the hotel Villa Maya in Peten, with Francois Berger (APANAC) and Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES) asked to participate (Fig. 123). Topics included discussions about the hotel infrastructure system, local support for hotel programs, and tourist viability and security in Peten.

AUGUST Aug 1-3 Guatemalan Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada, French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum, and Dr. Richard Hansen travel by military helicopter to El Mirador where the Vice President took a complete tour of El Mirador, including important discussions at the summit of Danta pyramid, the summit of Tigre pyramid, and evening discussions in the project facilities (Fig. 124, 125). Dr. Espada also made a special presentation to all the Guatemalan workers present at the site in the evening. The trip was productive as this 41 | P a g e

was the second trip to El MIrador by the Vice President with information and the arguments needed for justification of the preservation of the system. The Vice President and the ambassador stayed overnight in the facilities of the project.

Aug 5-15. Lead photographer for Idaho State University, Julie Hillebrant and daughter Madison comes to El Mirador to do a photo-documentary of the events and activities of staff and students Aug 7-9 FARES board meeting at El Mirador with guests David Hitz, Josie Thompson, Dr. Roberto Labbe, and Juan Carlos Sagastume (Fig. 126). Board members were Dr. Herbert Maschnier, son Alex Maschner, Kerry and Lorie Arritt, Wayne Howell, Francois Berger, Claudia Rosales, Fernando Paiz, Ken Hitz and fiancĂŠ Dawn, Lee McCullough, and Richard Hansen. A tour of the site, major meetings, and an evening dinner on Structure 34 capped off the event.

Aug 25 Rolando Pineda Lam, Leticia de Pineda, Edgar Archile, and several additional friends and assistants flew to El Mirador to investitgate the site (Fig 127). Mr. Pineda is a wealthy owner of several athletic soccer teams as well as several radio stations.

Aug. 26-31 Anacafe and Mr. Billy Hempstead solicited a trip with the president of the World Coffee Organization, Mr. Nestor Osorio, to visit El Mirador. Dr. Richard Hansen accompanied the group for two days (Fig 128). Mr. Osorio was interested in the economic capability and potential of the Mirador Basin.

SEPTEMBER September 5-6 Visits by Wal-Mart Centro America officials to El Mirador, organized by Fernando Paiz.

Sept 15 Major consolidation work on the upper façade of Danta pyramid is completed by Enrique Monterroso Tun and Enrique Monterroso Rosado. All scaffolding is removed (see Figs. 60-61).

Sept 16 The National Rotary Club of Guatemala invites Dr. Richard Hansen as a keynote speaker at the Salon de los Lagos at the Camino Real Hotel in Guatemala City. Rotary members gave a standing ovation at the conclusion of the speech.

Carlisle Johnson interviews Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM) and Richard Hansen (FARES) on national Television in the evening.

Sept 17 Licda Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM) and Richard Hansen meet with Taiwan Ambassador Adolfo Sun at the Taiwan embassy to discuss participation of Taiwan in the cultural and natural conservation of the Mirador Basin.

Sept 18 The V Congress of Physicians from Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala asked Richard Hansen to provide the keynote speech at the Gran Hotel de la Isla in Flores, Peten, Guatemala.

Sept 19 Marlene Meany de Hage and her two daughters, Yasmin and Arianne Hage, flew to El Mirador with Dr. Richard Hansen for a tour of the site. Mrs Meany de Hage is the 42 | P a g e

president of a major insurance company in Guatemala, and it was a great opportunity to have them see and appreciate the Mirador Basin and evaluate its potential.

Sept 20 The honorable ambassador of Taiwan, Ambassador Adolfo Sun, his wife, his assistant Violeta Hsu, Graco Paredes of Cementos Progreso, and Claudia Rosales of PACUNAM went to El Mirador with Dr. Richard Hansen to examine the site for possible collaboration and cooperation with the government of Taiwan (Fig. 129, Fig. 130). The trip was an excellent opportunity to develop friendships and relationships. In addition, engineer Maynor Barrios and Vanessa Santiago joined the group to examine the metal protective buildings that Mr. Barrios had constructed over the bedrock carving at La Muerta and Structure 34 and to plan for future constructions.

Sept 21 The First Lady of Guatemala, Sandra Torres de Colom, invited Dr. Richard Hansen to a private meeting at the Presidential Palace. Hansen went to the meeting with a close personal friend of the First Lady. Topics discussed included fire control, social programs that could be implemented in Peten, the importance of the Mirador Basin in the overall long-term benefit to Guatemala, and the importance of the conservation programs.

The meeting lasted for 1.5 hours.

The ambassador of Taiwan had a special dinner at the official Taiwan residence with members of the Vice Presidency of Giuatemala, the leaders and directors of PACUNAM, Jose Migeul Torrebiarte and Fernando Paiz, Claudia Rosales, and other distinguished government officials, as well as Dr. Richard Hansen.

Sept 23-25 Dr. Richard Hansen was invited to make a presentation to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. The University of Saskatchewan is a modern, sophisticated university with some of the most outstanding agricultural and agronomy experts in the world. Talks with Dr. Yuguang Bai, Associate Professor of Plant Sciences and the Dean of Agronomy, lead to ideas for a potential collaboration with the Mirador Basin project in the study of ancient agricultural strategies and techniques, as well as an analyses of the ancient cultigens.

OCTOBER October 2-3. Dr. Richard Hansen was named the Achievement Award of the 2009 Year and Dr. Hansen, his wife Jody, and his children were honored in a special ceremony at Idaho State University Alumni Awards dinner. The Idaho State University Achievement Award recognizes personal actions, generosity and self-sacrifice on the behalf of the university by a faculty member. The award was established in 1984. The prestigious award was by Dr. Arthur Vailas, President of the University. The following day, Dr. Hansen and his wife Jody participated as honorees in the Homecoming Parade at Idaho State University, following by special recognition at half time at the Idaho State University homecoming football game in the Holt Area Minidome at Idaho State University (http://www2.isu.edu/headlines/?p=2113).

Oct 8-13. Monaco. Ing. Jose Miguel Torrebiarte (PACUNAM), Francois Berger (APANAC and FARES-Guatemala), Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), Willy Kaltschmidt 43 | P a g e

(former Presidential Commisioner of Tourism for Guatemala), and Richard and Jody Hansen (FARES) were invited to Monaco for a special gala hosted by Prince Albert of Monaco to meet with officials and meet with the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation to explore opportunities for collaboration in the conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Mirador Basin (Fig. 131). The event was a success, with the premier of Oceans, a spectacular film regarding the conservation of the world’s oceanic resources, which led to discussions about the feasibility and potential of saving the world’s last “green oceans”, the rainforests. The group was personally greeted by Prince Albert. A subsequent important meeting with H.E. Bernard Fautier, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert Foundation and Minister Van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Monaco lead to an agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding between PACUNAM, FARES, APANAC and the Prince Albert Foundation (Fig. 132). In addition, Prince Albert then flew to New York City with an entourage to meet with FARES Chairman of the Board Mel Gibson to discuss the Mirador Basin project and the potential opportunity for participation and collaboration between Monaco and the project.

Oct 13-17, 27-31. The premier of CNN’s “Mirador: The Untold Story” was released on an international scale. The show was broadcast in October and November, and then translated and broadcast in Spanish in November and December. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.a.cnn?iref= allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.b.cnn?iref= allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.c.cnn?iref= allsearch http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.d.cnn?iref= allsearch Oct 21-25. Dr Richard Hansen was invited to provide a series of lectures at the Quai Branly museum, and the University of Paris and La Sorbonne by the distinguished professors, Dr. Dominique Michelet and Dr. Charlotte Arnould. Dr. Michelet has worked for years in Mesoamerica and for the last five years, has worked in the Rio Bec sites of southern Mexico. Dr. Arnould has worked in the Chixoy area of Guatemala and the site of La Joyanca. Further activities included a tour of the museum facilities, the Louvre, and a series of lectures with the faculty and staff at the Universities. Discussions included possible participation of French teams in the Mirador Basin, and the issues and challenges in the investigation, conservation, and development of the area.

Oct 28-31. GHF Board Meeting at Cavallo Point, Salsaledo, San Francisco, attended by Fernando Paiz (PACUNAM and FARES), Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), and Richard Hansen (FARES). The Global Heritage Fund board is composed of distinguished scholars, philanthropists, and prominent business people from throughout the world, with an agenda to conserve the great ancient heritage centers of the world. Fernando Paiz

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spoke at a luncheon on Oct 29, and Dr. Richard Hansen spoke at the evening dinner event.

Oct 28-30. Licda. Beatriz Balcarcel et al. presents a paper at a conference in San Salvador on the Late Preclassic ceramics at El Mirador. The paper was: Balcarcel, Beatriz, Gustavo Martinez, Richard D. Hansen 2009 Algunas características de la cerámica Preclásica Terminal en el sitio El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. Abstract in III Congreso Centroamericano de Arqueologia en El Salvador: Fronteras, Regiones, y Culturas en Centroamerica Precolombina. Museo Nacional de Antropologia, San Salvador, El Salvador, 28-30 Oct. 2009.

NOVEMBER Nov 1 Continued presentations of the CNN special entitled “Mirador: the Untold Story” on CNN International.

Nov 4-8 Dr. Richard and Jody Hansen were invited to present a series of lectures at the British Museum and the British Library, courtesy of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT), the Guatemalan embassy in London, and the Anglo-Central American Society of London (Fig. 133). Hansen lectured on the Mirador Basin in the morning (Nov 5) at the Britih Museum and in the evening at the British Library with a lecture entitled “Mirador: Cradle of Maya Civilization.” A reception followed and a large group of interested attendees were Guatemalans who were studying or working in London, including Sofia Novella, daughter of former FARES board member, the late Enrique Novella. The event was outstanding, well organized, and directed by Rafael Novielli (Guatemala Embassy), and Lic. Jose Julio Diaz of INGUAT. Nov, 9-13 Wild 9: World Wilderness Congress Held in Merida, Mexico. Josephine Thompson (FARES), Julio Cotom (Mirador Basin Project), and Dr. Richard Hansen attended the 9th World Wilderness Conference held at the Conference Center in Merida, Mexico. Hansen was invited to Chair a session and be a keynote speaker at the Wild 9 World Wilderness Congress on Nov. 9. Dr. Jane Goodall provided the keynote address at an earlier event at the same conference. Julio Cottom and Josie Thompson prepared public presentation of the Mirador Basin project in the exhibition hall of the exhibit and provided value assistance in writing articles, disseminating information, and drafting documents. A major resolution about the Mirador Basin was drafted and passed as a Congressional Resolution by the 3200 attendees at the event. (see information above).

The event provided additional international impetus to have the Mirador-Calakmul Basin delared a roadless wilderness preserve as a strategic planning mechanism to infuse tourist funding into impoverished communities, provide strong conservation incentives, facilitate the long term conservation of the area, and allow economic sustainability. The event was considered a major success.

Nov 21-25 Mr. William Doyle, the CEO of Potash Corporation, one of the world’s largest producers of fertilizers was invited to come to El Mirador by Roberto Dalton, of DISAGRO, a major fertilizer dealer in Guatemala and important members of PACUNAM 45 | P a g e

(Fig. 134). Roberto Dalton (Disagro), Anabella Dalton (Disagro), the Ambassador of Spain the honorable Ambassador Maria del Carmen Diez-Orejas, Claudia Rosales of PACUNAM, Dandan Xiang, administrative assistant to Mr. Doyle, Steve Miller (HELPS International), Jay Raman-Cultural Affairs officer at the U.S. embassy), and Jose Miguel Torrebiarte (PACUNAM), and Dr. Richard Hansen traveled to Flores in the Potash private jet, and continuing on to El Mirador by helicopter, and returning at night in the jet to Guatemala City. Mr. Doyle voiced an intent to participate in the conservation of the site and area. Thank you to Bill and Dandan for this experience.

Nov. 30 PACUNAM and APANAC Board meeting in headquarters of APANAC, Zona 14, Guatemala City.

Nov 30 Licda. Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), and Richard Hansen (FARES) met with the leadership of CONAP, director Claudia Santizo and her team to discuss the implementation of incentives for conservation in the Carmelita concession. A letter was requested to form an agreement between FARES and CONAP, with copies sent to IDAEH and INGUAT, and that CONAP would seek funding for the necessary studies prior to implementation of the plan. The “Community Conservation Corps” would provide critical funds for the substitution of logging within the Mirador Basin, and provides one of the most significant and important conservation measures incorporated in Guatemala.

Letters were sent out, and responses received from IDAEH and CONAP. DECEMBER Nov 30-Dec 5 Jody Hansen (FARES) and Kathy Duncan (Idaho) arrive with major shipments of school supplies, clothing, and living essentials to work with the Equity American School to distribute goods and packages to orphanages and schools in the highlands of Guatemala.

Dec 3 Hansen interviewed on live television with Guatevision at studios en Tikal Futura, Guatemala.

Dec. 4 Lic Edgar Suyuc presents a ppt report to Monumentos Prehispanicos on the results of the 2009 season.

A meeting was held with the Mirador Basin World Heritage nomination to UNESCO with Danilo Callen, Edgar Suyuc, Ligia Toledo, Hilda Maria Morales, Maria Elena Molina, Claudia Rosales, Thelma Castillo, Monica Urquizu, Richard Hansen, and Erick Ponciano, sub-director of IDAEH. Major issues discussed regarding the formation of the team and effort to procede with the Mirador Basin nomination.

Dec 5 Press conference in the Camino Real with Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM) Fernando Paiz (PACUNAM-FARES), Edgar Heineman (FUNDESA), Francois Berger (APANACFARES, Guatemala), Jose Miguel Torrebiarte (PACUNAM), Jeff Morgan (Global Heritage Fund), and Richard Hansen (FARES).

Dec 8 Meeting with Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada requested a meeting with Eduardo Cofiño and Dr. Richard Hansen to discuss implementation of the tourist infrastructure

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program, followed by lunch with Eduardo Cofiño and Hilda Marie Morales of the Presidencia.

Jeff Morgan (GHF), Clauida Rosales, and Richard Hansen met with authorities of PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Guatemala City to initiate an organizational study of the Mirador Basin project and FARES. Dec. 11 Follow up meeting with Danilo Guyen, Blanca Niño, Edgar Suyuc, Erick Ponciano, Claudia Cruz, Lic. Ramirez, and Richard Hansen. Lic. Erick Ponciano announced that the new terminology for the declaration of the basin would be “Cultural Landscape” (“Paisaje Cultural”) in order to channel the program under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of the Environment.

Dec. 20 Mirador Basin project discoveries in the water collection system at El Mirador are named as one of the top ten discoveries in the world by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/ http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/guatemala.html

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EL MIRADOR MEDICAL CLINIC REPORT 2009 A report by the medical officer at El Mirador during the 2009 field season, Debra McKay, allows a perspective of some of the medical and physical hazards that face the members of the project as well as tourists hiking into the area (Fig. 83). The illnesses and injuries in the El Mirador medical clinic in July and August 2009 are reported, along with recommendations for future medical clinic preparedness.

The total number in the camp was 233, including 168 workers, 24 cooks, 20 archaeologists and artists, 12 archaeology students, 7 Santa Cruz members and 1 child. The number of clinic visits for these groups were: workers-109, cooks-25, Archaeologists/Artists-28, Archeology Students16, Santa Cruz Group-21, and Children-2, for a total of 207 clinic visits.

Despite being an exotic environment, the medical conditions treated in the clinic were similar to what would be found in an archaeology camp in the United States. The most common reasons people presented to the clinic were for colds (gripe) (37), muscle strains (13), diarrhea (12), allergic dermatitis (25), insect bites/stings (13), and headaches (17).

Work related injuries included bruises, lacerations and burns. Heat related dehydration and blisters were associated with the walk in to camp. Camp related injuries included a shoulder strain from a fall on the clinic steps and a puncture wound to the foot (7).

Chronic conditions seen in the clinic were sciatica and low back pain with the strain of the work in the excavation exacerbating preexisting conditions. Lower extremity edema and varicosity pain was also seen, both reoccurring from previously identified medical conditions. Two cases of hypertension were seen, one with a worker, and one case with an archaeologist. The 89 year old worker had not been treated before joining the team and this individual was taken out by helicopter; the latter was a check-up for controlled hypertension. Eczema was also seen. A lacrimal duct cyst that had started several days prior to walking into camp worsened and the patient had to be taken out by helicopter. A case of chronic esophageal reflux (heartburn) was identified that had not been treated, for which the individual was grateful that the medical kit provided a medicine (omeprazole). A worker with an abdominal hernia presented which had been previously diagnosed. Injections for iron deficient anemia were given to a cook who brought the medicine with her. An archaeologist had back pain which was worked up in Guatemala and was found to have nerve compression from previous injuries.

Psychiatric issues included anxiety in a worker and in a student. The student decided to leave camp after she identified a number of reasons for needing to return home. There were two cases of depression, both had been previously diagnosed but exacerbate by stress.

Miscellaneous issues seen in the clinic included foot and inguinal fungus (9), nausea and vomiting, external ear canal infection, mouth ulcer, vaginal candidiasis, lower extremity edema, herpes zoster, gastritis, and lymph node swelling.

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Dental care among the workers was deficient, and the chronic dental problems of caries and abscesses presented in camp as toothaches. Treatment consisted of analgesics for pain and antibiotics for abscesses. Although abscesses can lead to serious systemic illnesses, it was beyond the expertise of the medical officer to perform tooth extractions.

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A summary of 2009 Clinic Cases is cited below: ILLNESSES

WORKERS

COOKS

STAFF

STUDENTS

SANTA CRUZ GROUP

CHILDREN

TOTAL

Camp Total

168

24

20

12

7

1

233

#Visits

109

25

28

16

21

2

207

Colds

23

6

6

1

1

37

Allergic Dermatitis

4

3

2

6

12

25

Headache

11

3

2

1

17

Diarreah

9

Muscle Strain

10

Insect Bites

1

2

3

Bruise, Burn, Laceration

9

1

2

Foot Fungus

4

Heat dehydration

2

Toothache

5

Misc

30

10

6

0

0

Total

109

25

28

16

21

2

1

12

3

13 4

3

1

12

5 1

1

13

9

2

6 5 56 2

207

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IN THE NEWS Mirador Basin Project Director named Idaho State University Achievement Award for 2009.

Dr. Richard Hansen was honored at the 2009 Idaho State University Alumni dinner on October 2 and 3 as the 2009 Idaho State University Achievement Award. This prestigious award, established in 1984, was presented by President Arthur Vailas in a special ceremony (Fig 92). On October 3, Richard and Jody Hansen were featured participants in the ISU homecoming parade in Pocatello, Idaho (Fig 93) , and then were recognized in a special half time ceremony at the ISU Homecoming Football Game. “The unusual accomplishments of Dr. Hansen provide a standard of excellence for the entire faculty, not only at this great university, but for all universities throughout the nation” stated Dr. Vailas.

Hansen was also featured on the cover of the fall issue of Idaho State University Magazine with a story written by Julie Hillebrant (Fig. 94). Fernando Paiz (PACUNAM-FARES) is also featured in the story.

CNN Does Major Feature on the Mirador Basin in 2009.

CNN did a major television feature on the Mirador Basin which was hosted by CNN anchorwoman Brooke Baldwin, Producer Leif Coorlim, and a team of camera and sound technicians (Fig. 95). Global Heritage Fund director Jeff Morgan, Francois Berger (APANACFARES), Dr. Roberto Labbe (APANAC), PACUNAM Executive Director Claudia Rosales, Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES), and the entire Executive Committee of PACUNAM were interviewed at El Mirador and in Guatemala City (Fig. 96, Fig. 97). The team spent nearly a week from June 24 through June 28 securing footage and conducting interviews. The footage was then edited and released in October and November 2009 with a special entitled “Mirador: The Forgotten City” which was broadcast world-wide for several weeks on CNN International.

The special can be seen on line at 1. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.a.cnn?iref= allsearch 2. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.b.cnn?iref= allsearch 3. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.c.cnn?iref= allsearch 4. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.d.cnn?iref= allsearch

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Reuters, Time Magazine, Discover Magazine, American Archaeology, Archaeology Produce Stories on Mirador Basin finds, 2009 Articles about the Mirador Basin were produced during the 2009 season, with Reuters covering a story about the excessive number of obsidian and chert projectile points (“arrowheads”) discovered on Tigre pyramid (see Fig. 29-30). Time magazine featured a story on April 20, 2009 entitled “Jungle Gym: You Need to be fit to visit Guatemala’s most spectacular Maya ruins” (p.

49). Discover Magazine ran an article in the June 2009 issue called “Unearthing the Mayan Creation Myth” (p. 18), while American Archaeology ran an article in summer 2009 entitled “Panels Depicting Popol Vuh Discovered” (p. 9). The UK travel magazine Wanderlust published an article entitled “Lost City of the Maya” (Aug/Sept 09). Numerous national and international articles were featured in newspapers throughout the world (see partial listing below).

Idaho State Journal, March 15, 2009, p. A8, “ISU Researchers play role in Maya discoveries.” (idahostatejournal.com) Idaho State University Magazine, Vol 40, No. 1 cover story http://www.isu.edu/magazine/fall09/mirador-basin/ Idaho State Journal, Aug. 8, 2009. P. A-2 “ISU anthropology researchers make impact. “ Idaho State Journal, Oct 28, 2009, p. A-1 “CNN to feature ISU Prof” Oct 28, 2009, p. A-1 (idahostatejournal.com) Prensa Libre 6 Abril 2009, p. 46. La Piedra Celestial Discover Magazine: Unearthing the Maya Creation Myth, June 2009, 9. 18 American Archaeology, Summer 2009, Vol. 13, No. 2, p. 9: “Panels Depicting Popol Vuh Discovered: Archaeologists find carvings portraying Maya Creation text in Northern Guatemala” Archaeology, January/February 2010, p. 23 “Popol Vuh Relief, El Mirador, Guatemala” Weekly News Journal (Burley, Idaho) “Richard Hansen on CNN” Thursday, Oct 29, 2009, p. 19 Time magazine, April 20, 2009, p. 49 “Jungle Gym: You need to be fit to visit Guatemala’s most spectacular Maya ruins.”

Prensa Libre, Sociedad, Sabado 6 de Junio, 2009, No. 78 “Valor historico: Nueva Coleccion de Piezas Arqueológicas en Exhibicion.”

Wanderlust Magazine (UK), “Lost City of the Maya” (wanderlust.co.uk/goWander.com). AugSept 2009, pp. 44-53.

Press releases on Mirador Basin project, 2009 (partial) http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/15/uncovering-a-masterpiece-the-mayans-left-behind/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24OgIVyy2zo 52 | P a g e

http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/untoldstories/blog/archive/ http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.b.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.c.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.d.cnn?iref=allsearc h htp://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/11/01/baldwin.mirador.forgotten.may.cnn http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/11/12/iyw.global.heritage.fund.cnn http://cts.vresp.com/c/?GlobalHeritageFund/e90eb825cd/ca7b75d59b/3457febab4 http://cts.vresp.com/c/?GlobalHeritageFund/4d4b5592e2/a91cdf655e/c090f1bc4f http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/america_latina/2009/11/091111_video_mirador_heritage_am.shtml http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=100257 (panels at Mirador). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwuUyrEBdbs&feature=related (NGS Tombs of Mirador) http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=18952 (obsidian points on tigre) http://www.isu.edu/newsandnotes/090928/award.shtml http://www.isu.edu/magazine/fall09/mirador-basin/ http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2009/10/trekking_into_mayan_history.html http://www.newsinamerica.com/periodico.php?idnoticia=5665&ed=0948 http://www.wild.org/blog/resolution-37-conservation-of-the-miradorcalakmul-cultural-andnatural-system/ http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=17$3412010000$4190096&f=20091113 http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/ http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/guatemala.html http://www.lemonde.fr/cgibin/ACHATS/acheter.cgi?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=1075612 http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=29744 53 | P a g e

http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=28568 http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27026 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27346 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27064 http://www.sigloxxi.com/?pFecha=29/12/2009 “El Mirador se consagra como patrimonio universal.�

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Press releases on Mirador Basin project, 2009 (partial) http://inthefield.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/15/uncovering-a-masterpiece-the-mayans-left-behind/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24OgIVyy2zo http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/untoldstories/blog/archive/ http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.a.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.b.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.c.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/14/wus.mirador.bk.d.cnn?iref=allsearc h http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/11/01/baldwin.mirador.forgotten.may.cnn http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/11/12/iyw.global.heritage.fund.cnn

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?GlobalHeritageFund/e90eb825cd/ca7b75d59b/3457febab4 http://cts.vresp.com/c/?GlobalHeritageFund/4d4b5592e2/a91cdf655e/c090f1bc4f http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/america_latina/2009/11/091111_video_mirador_heritage_am.shtml http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=100257 (panels at Mirador). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwuUyrEBdbs&feature=related (NGS Tombs of Mirador) http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=18952 (obsidian points on tigre) http://www.isu.edu/newsandnotes/090928/award.shtml http://www.isu.edu/magazine/fall09/mirador-basin/ http://www.oregonlive.com/travel/index.ssf/2009/10/trekking_into_mayan_history.html http://www.newsinamerica.com/periodico.php?idnoticia=5665&ed=0948 http://www.wild.org/blog/resolution-37-conservation-of-the-miradorcalakmul-cultural-andnatural-system/ http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=17$3412010000$4190096&f=20091113 55 | P a g e

http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/ http://www.archaeology.org/1001/topten/guatemala.html http://www.lemonde.fr/cgibin/ACHATS/acheter.cgi?offre=ARCHIVES&type_item=ART_ARCH_30J&objet_id=1075612 http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=29744 http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 same http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=28568 http://www.sigloxxi.com/veranterior.php?diaini=22&mesini=05&anoini=2009 NO http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27026 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27346 http://128.121.66.148/imprimir.php?noticiaid=27064 http://www.sigloxxi.com/?pFecha=29/12/2009 “El Mirador se consagra como patrimonio universal.”

Idaho State Journal, March 15, 2009, p. A8, “ISU Researchers play role in Maya discoveries.” (idahostatejournal.com) Idaho State University Magazine, Vol 40, No. 1 cover story http://www.isu.edu/magazine/fall09/mirador-basin/ Idaho State Journal, Aug. 8, 2009. P. A-2 “ISU anthropology researchers make impact. “ Idaho State Journal, Oct 28, 2009, p. A-1 “CNN to feature ISU Prof” Oct 28, 2009, p. A-1 (idahostatejournal.com) Prensa Libre 6 Abril 2009, p. 46. La Piedra Celestial Discover Magazine: Unearthing the Maya Creation Myth, June 2009, 9. 18 American Archaeology, Summer 2009, Vol. 13, No. 2, p. 9: “Panels Depicting Popol Vuh Discovered: Archaeologists find carvings portraying Maya Creation text in Northern Guatemala” Archaeology, January/February 2010, p. 23

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“Popol Vuh Relief, El Mirador, Guatemala” Weekly News Journal (Burley, Idaho) “Richard Hansen on CNN” Thursday, Oct 29, 2009, p. 19 Time magazine, April 20, 2009, p. 49 “Jungle Gym: You need to be fit to visit Guatemala’s most spectacular Maya ruins.”

Prensa Libre, Sociedad, Sabado 6 de Junio, 2009, No. 78 “Valor historico: Nueva Coleccion de Piezas Arqueológicas en Exhibicion.”

Wanderlust Magazine (UK), “Lost City of the Maya” (wanderlust.co.uk/goWander.com). AugSept 2009, pp. 44-53.

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Mirador Bibliography: Reports and Publications produced by the Mirador Basin Project in 2009 Publications: Balcarcel, Beatriz, Gustavo Martinez, Richard D. Hansen 2009 Algunas características de la cerámica Preclásica Terminal en el sitio El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. Abstract in III Congreso Centroamericano de Arqueologia en El Salvador: Fronteras, Regiones, y Culturas en Centroamerica Precolombina. Museo Nacional de Antropologia, San Salvador, El Salvador, 28-30 Oct. 2009.

Guzman-Urbina, Josue Leonardo 2009 Propuesta Metodologica Documental para Bienes Culturales Muebles Conservados: Un Modelo para los Artefactos del Proyecto Arqueológico Cuenca Mirador. Tesis de Licenciatura, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Escuela de Historia, Area de Arqueologia, 108 pp.

Hansen, Richard D. 2009 El Preclasico de la Cuenca Mirador: Treinta Años de Investigaciones del Genesis Maya.

Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 23. Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 13 July 2009.

Hansen, Richard D., and Edgar Suyuc-Ley 2009 Investigaciones en la Cuenca Mirador: Resultados de la Temporada 2008. . Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 60. Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 15 July 2009.

Hansen, Richard D., Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Hector Mejia (editors) 2009 Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University. Proyecto Cuenca Mirador. 1144 pp.

Mejia, Hector, Boris Aguilar, Julio Cotom, Hiro Iwamoto, y Antonio Portillo 2009 Rescate Arqueológico en El Pesquero: Un Sitio de Rango Intermedio en el Limite Sur de la Cuenca Mirador. Abstractos del XXIII Simposio de Investigaciones Arqueológicas en Guatemala, p. 51. Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Direccion General del Patrimonio Cultural y Natural, 58 | P a g e

Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia, Asociacion Tikal. 14 July 2009.

Skousen, Benjamin Jacob 2009 Monkey Pots: Inferring Meaning through Time and Space from Function, Ddecoration, and Context. Master of Arts Thesis, Dept. of Anthropology, Brigham Youg University.

(Committee: D.W. Forsyth, John E. Clark, James R. Allison, Richard D. Hansen), 110 pp.

Sprajc, Ivan, Carlos Morales-Aguilar, and Richard D. Hansen 2009 Early Maya Astronomy and Urban Planning at El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala.

Anthropological Notebooks, Vol. 15, No. 3: 79-101 Slovene Anthropological Society, (http://www.drustvo-antropologov.si/anthropological_notebooks_eng.html), (http://www.drustvoantropologov.si/AN/PDF/2009_3/Anthropological_Notebooks_XV_3_Sprajc.pdf)

PROFESSIONAL PAPERS: Mirador Basin Project2009 Argyle, J. Craig 2009 Manejo de Agua en el Periodo Preclasico en El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala: Operacion 610 O, 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 586612. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Arriola-Silva, Ana Luisa, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley 2009 Investigaciones en la Plataforma Superior de la Acropolis La Pava: Operaciones 404 y 405.

In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 157-192. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University. Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Balcarcel-Villagran, Ana Beatriz 2009a Edificios Preclรกsicos 313 y 315, Gran Acropolis Central, El Mirador, Peten: Informe Final 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 538-585. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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2009b Programa de Alfabetizacion, Proyecto Mirador, Peten, Guatemala: Informe Final 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 831-836. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Balcarcel, Beatriz, Gustavo Martinez, Richard D. Hansen 2009 Algunas características de la cerámica Preclásica Terminal en el sitio El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. Abstract in III Congreso Centroamericano de Arqueologia en El Salvador: Fronteras, Regiones, y Culturas en Centroamerica Precolombina. Museo Nacional de Antropologia, San Salvador, El Salvador, 28-30 Oct. 2009.

Cambranes-Burgos, Rafael, Douglas Mauricio 2009 Reconocimiento y Mapeo el el Sector Norte de Los Faisanes, El Mirador, Peten: Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 66-89. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University. Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Castañeda, Cesar, y Richard D. Hansen 2009 Desarrollo Cultural y Cambio de Vegetacion en la Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 263-290. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Castellanos, Carlos 2009 Excavaciones en el Primer Basamento y Esquina Sureste de la Estructura 204, Grupo Cascabel. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 453458. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Chavarria, Monica A. 2009 Investigacion Arqueologica al Noroeste del Complejo Monos, Operacion 108 L. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 627-636. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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Chavarria-Crespo, Monica Andrea, Ana Luisa Arriola Silva, y Edgar Suyuc-Ley 2009 Investigaciones en la Primera Plataforma de El Complejo Danta, La Escalinata de Acceso: Operaciones 402 R y 402 S. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 136-156. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Cotom, Julio 2009a Sintesis de Saqueos en El Pesquero. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 57-65. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Sintesis de Saqueos en La Mazacuata. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 66-. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009c Sintesis de Saqueos en La Reforma. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 70-72. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009 d Sintesis de Saqueos en Las Torres. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp.73-93. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009e Sintesis de Saqueols en La MuĂąeca. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 94-95. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009f Sintesis de Saqueos en Al Che’. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 96-98. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y 61 | P a g e

Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009g Sintesis de Saqueos en La Pailona. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 99-120. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009h Sondeos en el Grupo B de El Pesquero. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 123-127. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009i Sondeos en el Grupo A de La Mu帽eca. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 128-133. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Cotom, Julio, y Hector E. Mejia 2009a El Proceso del Registro de Saqueos en los Sitios Perifericos de Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 53-56.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Primeras Investigaciones Cronologicas en el Area de la Concesion La Gloria: Los Sondeos Arqueol贸gicas. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar SuyucLey, Tomo II. pp. 121-122. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Enriquez-Ortiz, Hugo 2009 Analisis y Clasificacion de Restos Oseos de Fauna Recuperados en las Excavaciones Arqueologicas del Proyecto Arqueologico Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 243-262. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de 62 | P a g e

Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Gonzalez, Giovanni 2009 Sondeos en el Grupo Puma, El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala, Op,601A, 601B, 2007-2008.

In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 236-246. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Guzman, Josue L. 2009 Trabajos de Conservacion en el Sitio El Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 697-706. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Hansen, Landon J., and Richard D. Hansen 2009 Investigaciones en el Grupo Cascabel, Estructura 200: Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 459-503. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Hansen, Richard D. 2009a Investigacion y Conservacion en la Cuenca Mirador. Presentation to ASOREMA Environmental Association. Guatemala City, Guatemala. April 1, 2009 2009b Mirador and the Maya World. Presentation at the XXXIV Congress of the Tianguis Latin American Tourist Association, Acapulco Mexico. Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo, INGUAT. April 26-28, 2009.

2009c El Significado de la Cuenca Mirador. Inauguration of the Mirador Basin Museum, La Pedrera, Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City. May 20 2009.

2009d. La Cuenca Mirador: Joya Nacional de Guatemala. Presentation to the Rotary Club of Guatemala, Hotel Villa Maya, Flores Peten. 6 June 2009.

2009e. Entierros y Tumbas de la Cuenca Mirador. Paper presented at the conference Tombs of the Sacred Lords and the Secrets of Jade. Antigua, Guatemala. June 19-21, 2009.

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2009f. La Cuenca Mirador. Presentation to the Association of Sugar Growers of Guatemala, Edifico Euro-Plaza, Guatemala City. APANAC-PACUNAM, 23 June 2009.

2009g. Mirador, the Forgotten City. CNN Film Special, June 24-28, 2009.

2009h. Tintal: Legado Maya en la Cuenca Mirador. Presentation at the Herrera-Llerandi Hospital, Guatemala City. APANAC, July 16, 2009.

2009i. Tintal y La Cuenca Mirador: Investigacion, Conservacion, y Desarrollo Sostenible en la Cuna de la Civilizacion Maya. Public Presentation, Camino Real, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

APANAC, 16 July 2009.

2009j. Investigacion, Conservacion, y Desarrollo Sostenible: El Reino Kan/Cuenca Mirador.

National Congress of the Rotary Club of Guatemala, Camino Real, Guatemala City, Guatemala.

16 September 2009.

2009k. El Reino Kan: Legado Natural y Cultural de Guatemala. V Congreso Medico de Peten, Mexico, y Belize. Flores, Peten. 18 Sept 2009.

2009L Investigation, Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Kan Kingdom, Mirador Basin. Paper presented at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

2009m. Idaho State University: Research and Future Directions. Paper presented at the Idaho State Univesity Alumni Banquet, ISU Achievement Award, 2 Oct 2009.

2009 n The Kan Kingdom, Mirador Basin. Presentation to the Prince Albert II Foundation, Monaco. 12 Oct 2009.

2009o. Investigation and Conservation in the Kan Kingdom, Guatemala. Public Presentation, Quai Branly Museum, Paris, France. 22 October 2009 2009p Conservation and Investigation Strategies in the Mirador Basin. Paper presented at the University of Paris, France. 23 Oct 2009.

2009r. The Kan Kingdom/Mirador Basin: New Discoveries and Research Programs in Northern Guatemala. Paper presented at the British Museum, 5 November 2009.

2009s. Guatemala: The Heart of the Maya World and Mirador, Cradle of Maya Civilization.

Public Presentation at the British Library, London. 5 November 2009.

2009t. El Mirador, Guatemala, El Papel de las tierras silvestres en el mundo maya: Pasado y Futuro. Keynote address, Wild 9 World Wilderness Congress, Merida Mexico. Monday, 9 Nov. 2009.

2009u. Kan Kingdom 2009: Review of the Advances and Progress of the FARES/GHF/PACUNAM/ APANAC Program. Presentation to the PACUNAM Foundation, Dec. 7, 2009.

5412009v World Expo Shanghai 2010: Guatemala como Corazon y Cuna del Mundo Maya.

Inaugural Presentation at the Opening of the Guatemala World Expo Shangai Conference.

Barcelo Hotel, Guatemala City, 10 Dec. 2009.

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Hansen, Richard D. and Edgar Suyuc-Ley 2009 Investigaciones del Proyecto Cuenca Mirador: Resumen de la Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 1-10. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Jacobo, Alvaro L. 2009 Investigaciones Arqueologicas en la Estructura 204, Grupo Cascabel, Operaciones 204I, 204J, 204K, y 204L. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 418-452. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Lopez. Francisco, Cheryl Carcuz, Giovanni Gonzalez 2009 Informe Final de Excavaciones en la Tercera Plataforma del Complejo La Danta, Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 207-235. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Martinez-Hidalgo, Gustavo 2009 Excavaciones en el Edificio 204, Operacion 204H, Grupo Cascabel, El Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 372-417. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Martinez-Hidalgo, Gustavo y Carlos Castellanos 2009 Investigaciones en el Grupo Cascabel, Edificio 204: Temporada de Campo 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 366-371. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Mauricio-Martinez, Douglas Yerovy 2009 Investigaciones en el Grupo Los Faisanes, Temporada 2008: Un Asentamiento Preclasico Tardio, Operaciones 602 BB, 602 G, 602H, 602 I, 602 J. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias 65 | P a g e

en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 90-125. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Meagher, Alison and Stephanie Schrodt 2009 Pozos de Sondeo: Operaciones 108 B, 108 C, 108 G, 108J, 108 M, El Mirador, Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 647-661. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Mejia, Hector E. 2009 El Proceso de Reconocimiento Regional en la Cuenca Mirador, Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II: 1-2. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Mejia, Hector E., Boris Aguilar, Julio Cotom, Juan Morales, Hiro Iwamoto, Josue Guzman, Antonio Portillo, Enrique Monterroso R., Andres Giron, 2009 Rescate Arqueol贸gico en el Sitio El Pesquero, Concesion La Gloria, San Andres, Peten. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 145-216.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Mejia, Hector E., Antonio Portillo 2009a El Pesquero, Un Sitio Temprano en la Margen Sur de la Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 3-9.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b La Mazacuata: Un Centro Periferico de El Pesquero. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II, pp.10-12. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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2009c Las Torres: Un Sitio Mayor en la Margen Sur de la Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 13-22. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009 d La Reforma, Un Centro Periferico de Las Torres. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 23-25. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009e La Pailona, Un Sitio al Oeste de El Pesquero. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 26-33. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009f La Union, Un Centro Secundario de La Pailona. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 34-36. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009g Concession Cruce de la Colorada: El Cedro, Un Centro Rector en el Vertice Sur de la Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 37-44. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009h Al Che’, Un Centro Secundario de El Cedro. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 45-47. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009i La MuĂąeca, Un Centro Secundario de El Cedro. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 48-52. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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Monterroso Rosado, Enrique, y Enrique Monterroso Tun 2009 Conservacion de Arquitectura en El Mirador: Temporada de Campo Junio-Agostos 2008, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 662-696. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Morales-Lopez, Abel 2009 Prospeccion en el Grupo Tzunum al Norte de El Mirador: Informe 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 39-50. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Morales-Aguilar, Carlos.

2009a Mapeo y Exploraciones en El Mirador: Reporte de las Primeras Exploraciones en la Periferia de El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala, Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 11-16. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Exploraciones Preliminares en Chivo Negro: Un Asentamiento Maya del Clasico Tardio al Oeste de El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar SuyucLey, and Hector Mejia, pp. 51-65. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Morales-Aguilar, Carlos, Rafael Cambranes-Burgos 2009 Reporte de las Primeras Exploraciones y Mapeo Preliminar de Sacalero: Un Asentamiento Prehispanico al Norte de El Mirador, Peten. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 17-38. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Morales, Paulino and Kara Nickels 2009 Operacion 304: Excavaciones en la Gran Acropolis del Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by 68 | P a g e

Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 504-537. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Pellicer-Alecio, Monica 2009 Investigaciones en el Complejo El Tigre, Investigaciones en la Estructura 4D3-2, Complejo El Tigre: Resultados de la Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 276-303. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Pitcavage, Megan R. 2009 Investigacion del Muro Defensivo y Acceso a la Calzada La Danta en El Mirador 2008: Operaciones 130-A-F. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 613-620. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Portillo, Antonio 2009a Sondeo Arqueologico en el Area Central de Las Torres. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 134-138. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Sondeo Arqueol贸gico en El Cedro. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 139-144. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Pozuelos, Adelzo 2009 Infraestructura y Logistica de Campamento en El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala: JunioSeptiembre 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 777-830. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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Ramos, Carmen 2009a Intervenciones en Estucos, Temporada 2008, Unidad de Conservacion. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 733-747. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Monitoreo en Estucos, Temporadas 2005-2007. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 748-752. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Rodens, Vanessa 2009 Trabajos de Conservacion en la Estructura 2A6-3, Acropolis La Pava, Complejo La Danta, El Mirador, Peten. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 707-732. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Schaerr, Stephanie, and Elizabeth Rosen 2009 Pozos de Sondeo, Operaciones 108 A, 108 E, y 108 K, Grupo Oeste, el Mirador: Temporada de Campo 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 637-646. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Schreiner, Thomas, Enrique Hernandez 2009 Excavaciones y Prospeccion Arqueologica en el Sacbe Tintal-Mirador: Excavacion en el Bajo Carrizal, Op. 500 F y La Naranjita Op. 500 G. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp.217-242.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Schuster, Jack C., Jose Monzon S., Faustino Camposeco, Jacqueline Camacho.

2009 Arthropoda de la Cuenca Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by 70 | P a g e

Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, Tomo II. pp. 291-308. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Suyuc-Ley, Edgar 2009a Investigaciones en el Complejo La Danta: El Complejo La Danta. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 126-135 Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Investigaciones en la Primera Plataforma de la Acropolis La Pava: Operaciones 403 y 406. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 193-206.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Trabanino, Felipe 2009 Evidencias Paleoetnobotanicas de la Piramide La Danta en el Clasico Tardio Terminal, El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 247-275. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

Velasquez-Fergusson, Maria Laura 2009a Investigacion de las Estructuras 4D3-1 y 4D3-4, Complejo El Tigre (Operaciones 01C, 01D, 01E, 01F, 01G, 01H, 01I, 01J, 01K, 01L, 01M, y 01N). In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, and Hector Mejia, pp. 304-365.

Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

2009b Pozo de Sondeo en el Complejo Monos, Operacion 108H, El Mirador. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 621-626. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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Zea, Lilian Vega de 2009 Informe de Conservacion de Estucos en El Mirador, Peten. Temporada 2008. In Investigaciones Multidisciplinarias en El Mirador: Informe Final de la Temporada 2008, Vol. 1 & II, edited by Hector Mejia, Richard D. Hansen, and Edgar Suyuc-Ley, pp. 753-776. Report filed with the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes, Instituto de Antropologia e Historia, Departamento de Monumentos Prehispanicos y Coloniales, Guatemala City. FARES Foundation, Idaho State University, Proyecto Cuenca Mirador.

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Figures 2009 Figure 1.

Map of the Mirador Basin, northern Guatemala, showing sites that have been explored, mapped, and received systematic excavations by the Mirador Basin Project.

Map: Josephine Thompson, FARES

Figure 2.

Board meeting of the Global Heritage Fund, based out of Palo Alto, but with distinguished board members from all over the world.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 3.

Executive Board members of PACUNAM, the Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage, which consists of the leading companies in Guatemala. Board members include Juan Carlos Zapata (Fundesa), Juan Miro (Citi Bank), R.D. Hansen (FARES), Luis Prado (Banco Industrial), Lucia Herrera (Pantaleon), Enrique Castellanos (Claro/TelGua), Jose Miguel Torrebiarte (Cementos Progreso), Jeff Morgan (GHF), and Fernando Paiz (Paiz, S.A., Ruta Maya Foundation, Wal Mart CEO).

Figure 4.

APANAC Board. Association of Friends of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Guatemala.

L-R: Alfred Kaltshmidt, Renee Berger de Rocasemeño, Mario Rocasemeño, Nini Novella de Berger, Francois Berger, Richard Hansen, Dr. Roberto Labbe, Dr. Victor Unda.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos

Figure 5.

FARES Board. (L-R: Lee McCullough (Executive Director-Legal), Chris Schmidt, PACUNAM (now represented by Claudia Rosales), Mel Gibson (Chairman of the Board), Richard Hansen (President), Francois Berger (APANAC-FARES-Guatemala), Kerry Arritt (Secretary-Treasurer), Jody Hansen (Secretary), Wayne Hepworth (Executive Director), Ken Hitz (Vice President, Development), Wayne Howell (Vice President Operations), Dr. Herbert Maschner (Executive Director).

Photo: Micalena Perkins

Figure 6.

Executive board of Cerveceria Centroamericana with President Alvaro Colom of Guatemala.

L-R: R.D. Hansen, Fernando Montenegro (Banco G & T), President Colom, Raul Castillo (CEO, Cerveceria), a leading executive in Cerveceria, and Eugenio Gabriel (Presidential designate for 4 Balam program).

Figure 7.

Sra. Hilda Cofiño and Dr Gaitan, sponsors of the Mirador Basin Project with the panels that Ms. Cofiño helped reveal.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 8.

David and Ken Hitz of NET APP and the Hitz Foundation in the back of the Kawasaki Moto-Mulas, donated by Sra. Odette de Arzu. Ken’s fiancé Dawn and Lori Arritt (FARES) are in the cab with Hansen. These marvelous machines have saved hundreds of hours of walking because of the size of the site and the scope of the investigations.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU

Figure 9.

Sra. Odette de Arzu and granddaughter Alejandra on the upper platform of the Jaguar Paw Temple (Str. 34).

Photo: R.D. Hansen

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Figure 10.

Montano Nissoti, CEO of Blue Oil of London with Dr. Hansen on the summit of Danta pyramid. Blue Oil is an official sponsor of the Mirador Basin Project.

Figure 11.

Members of the PACUNAM and APANAC boards with Mel Gibson on Danta pyramid.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 12.

John Paul DeJoria, CEO of John Paul Mitchell systems next to the Middle Preclassic buried mask inside the Jaguar Paw Temple. Note the original colors of the art.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 13.

Large horizontal excavations of Operation 109M excavated by Idaho State University field school students, located adjacent to the low seasonal swamp known as a bajo. Note the placement of stones for perishable superstructures as well as a burial.

Photo: Michael Manning, FARES

Figure 14.

Large stone monuments placed in a platform of Structure 304, a likely royal throne because of its strategic location and the presence of a woven mat motif carved in stucco.

Photo: Monica Pellicer

Figure 15.

Central stairway up the Central Acropolis at El Mirador and leading to Structure 304. Photo: Carmen Ramos

Figure 16.

Basal excavations of the central stairway of the Central Acropolis at El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 17.

Exposed architectural art near the summit of Structure 313 with archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel. Balcarcel discovered the mask during broad horizontal excavations of the building Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 18.

Excavations at the northeast base of Structure 313 showing stairway, walls, and collapsed section of wall Photo: Michael Manning

Figure 19.

Excavations at the base of Structure 313 revealed Late Preclassic pottery (300 B.C.-A.D. 150) lying in situ directly on the floor of the building.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 20.

Archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel excavating a fragmented Late Preclassic bowl directly on the floor of Structure 313 Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 21.

Beginning excavations of the faรงade of Structure 315. Note the relatively intact walls and stairway of this Late Preclassic building.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 22.

Dr. Craig Argyle (ISU) and Dr. Richard Hansen (ISU) examining the stucco frieze that Argyle excavated during the 2008 and 2009 field seasons.

Photo: Debra McKay

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Figure 23.

The frieze in the water collection system in the Central Acropolis, El Mirador, showing the nature of the stucco Figures that decorated the edge of the pools.

Photo: J. Craig Argyle

Figure 24.

Late Preclassic pottery (300 B.C.-A.D. 150) directly on the floor of the water collection pool.

Photo: J. Craig Argyle

Figure 25.

Rails constructed up the north side of Tigre pyramid in preparation for the transport of mortar, stone, stucco, and other conservation materials to the upper levels of Tigre Pyramid.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 26.

Archaeologist Laura Velasquez excavating a small platform, Str. 4d3-4, located on the primary platform of Tigre Pyramid.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 27.

Excavations on the central stairway of Tigre Pyramid (Op. 01R).

Photo: Laura Velasquez

Figure 28.

Excavations on the northeastern façade of Tigre pyramid (Op. 01P).

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 29.

Some of the hundreds of obsidian projectile points recovered off the upper platform of Tigre pyramid. All tests thus far show that the obsidian came from Highland Mexico sources.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 30.

Chert projectile points recovered off the upper platform of Tigre pyramid. The stylistic differences suggest that the points were locally manufactured.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 31.

The “smoking gun” of Tigre Pyramid, Laura Velasquez located human long bones on the platform of the building, indicating a probable battle on the platform in the Early Classic period. A green obsidian point is located adjacent to the scale in the photograph. Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 32.

Close up of the human long bones and the associated green obsidian point on Tigre pyramid.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 33.

An obsidian point located among human long bones on the summit of Tigre pyramid, indicating a possible battle scene that had taken place there.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 34.

Excavations of the façade of Str. 4D3-2, the northern structure of the Tigre triad arrangement.

Archaeologist Monica Pellicer exposed the badly damaged façade revealing remnants of masks and other architectural art.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 35.

Excavations on the narrow passageway between the central dominant structure of Tigre, Str. 4D3-1 and Str 4D3-2. A dense layer of ash is associated with a layer of whole, Early Classic pottery, and is believed to be the period of the battle on Tigre. Note the upside down bowl next to the Late Preclassic wall of the building.

Photo: Monica Pellicer

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Figure 36.

Excavations of the passageway between Str. 4D3-1 and 4D3-2 indicating a layer of ash and broken Early Classic pottery, possibly a form of offering.

Photo: Mike Manning.

Figure 37.

Corner of Cascabel Structure 200, a Middle Preclassic building, showing the megalithic stones used in the construction.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 38.

Corner excavations of Cascabel Str. 200, showing the edge of the corner stairway, and the outset lateral edges of the building indicating a sophisticated format for such early architecture.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 39.

Tunnel operations in Cascabel Str. 200 (Op. 200F), showing the rubble and fill in the building. The tunnel demonstrated that the entire building was built in a single episode in the Middle Preclassic period.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 40

Middle Preclassic ceramics from the tunnel excavation of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.04.05.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 41.

Middle Preclassic ceramics from tunnel excavations of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.10.22.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 42.

Middle Preclassic ceramics from tunnel excavations of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.13.27.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 43.

Test excavations in the Cascabel plaza by Edgar Ortega showed an extensive sequence of superimposed stucco floors, suggesting the vitality of construction in the Middle Preclassic period at El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 44.

Middle Preclassic ceramics from the Sacalero Causeway excavations to the immediate west of Str. 200 in the Cascabel Group, suggesting that the original causeway was constructed in the Middle Preclassic period.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 45.

Middle Preclassic figurine fragments from the Sacalero Causeway.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 46.

Unusual tecomate rim sherd from the Sacalero Causeway showing color zoning and decoration of Middle Preclassic ceramics.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 47.

Upper stairway of Cascabel Structure 204 exposed by archeologist Gustavo Martinez showing the excellent condition of the megalithic stones, typical of Middle Preclassic structures.

Photo: Mike Manning.

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Figure 48.

Lower stairway of Cascabel Str. 204, showing the size of the stones of the Middle Preclassic building.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 49.

Mammiform tetrapod collected off the floor of Cascabel Str. 204, indicating an occupation and use of the building in the terminal Late Preclassic period, centuries after it had been constructed.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 50.

Terminal Late Preclassic ceramic type known as Sacluc Black-on-orange, found on the floors of Cascabel Str. 204, indicating occupation late in the Preclassic periods.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 51.

Terminal Late Preclassic ceramic from Cascabel Str. 204 where a pseudo-Usulutan style decoration involved the scaping of wavy parallel lines while the slip was wet and prior to firing.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 52.

Middle Preclassic ceramics (700-400 B.C.) from Cascabel Str. 204 showing the range of surface decoration of these early ceramics. The recovery of these ceramics from the fill of the building is consistent with Cascabel Str. 200, and suggests that the Cascabel group is one of the earliest monumental constructions at El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 53.

Middle Preclassic incised ceramics from Cascabel Str. 204. Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 54.

Middle Preclassic pre-slipped incised ceramic from Cascabel Str. 204, typical of the surface decoration of these early ceramics.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 55.

Horizontal excavations at the base of Str. 226, under the supervision of Pilar Vasquez, showing the remains of shattered Monument 21 and the stones of small perishable structures that had been placed in the plaza centuries after the area had been abandoned.

Photo: Mike Manning.

Figure 56.

Student Pilar Vasquez showing the carved surface of the shattered Monument 21. The stone depicts a hand clasping a probable serpent bar, a belt, and an attached belt head.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 57.

Student Pilar Vasquez excavated the carved stucco surface of the plaza floor adjacent to a low platform. The discovery of this art revealed the first indication that the plaza floors may have had art associated with them.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 58.

The southern wall of the upper central building of Danta, during consolidation and stabilization.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 59.

The southern wall of the upper central building of Danta after stabilization and consolidation and the scaffolding removed.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

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Figure 60.

The upper central dominant structure of Danta after stabilization and consolidation of the building. Note the remains of terminal Late Classic residences that had been attached to the faรงade of the building. Trees were carefully selected to provide shade for the building, maintaining a more consistent temperature and moisture control.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 61.

The upper central building of Danta showing the remains of the Late Preclassic stairway and the trees that were left incorporated in the stabilized building.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 62.

The base of the third level of Danta pyramid with student Sheryl Carcuz exposing the massive stones that had been placed with the long axis into the building, requiring more stones to cover the same surface area.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 63.

Base of the third level of Danta pyramid showing the extent of the massive stones with the long axis into the fill of the building, a pattern of conspicuous consumption that is characteristic of this period of time in the Mirador Basin.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 64.

Photograph of one of the buildings on the upper platform of Pava pyramid, located on the first level of Danta. The building, under investigation by Edgar Suyuc, has been stabilized, consolidated, and presented for tourism.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 65.

Excavations of the lower staircase at the base of Pava pyramid, showing the location of the original blocks at the base of the building.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 66.

Test excavations at the suburb of Sacalero, El Mirador, showing plaster floor and a low wall dating to the Middle Preclassic period (ca. 600-400 b.C.).

Photo: Douglas Mauricio.

Figure 67.

Soil profile of a test excavation at Sacalero group showing the wide variation of soil colors in a vertical profile. The soils demonstrate a vigorous construction and utilization of the area in the Middle Preclassic, Late Preclassic, and Early Classic periods.

Photo: Douglas Mauricio.

Figure 68.

Excavation of the wall system surrounding the Sacalero Group at El Mirador showing the layers of clay with a thin plaster floor applied directly to the surface of the clay. Student Enrique Hernandez is pointing to some of the layers of clays and sascab surfaces.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 69.

Stucco surface (near the point of the directional arrow) applied directly to the clay in the wall system where the Sacalero causeway joins the architectural group. This suggests that plaster was applied occasionally to clay surfaces without the stone preparatory base commonly seen in Preclassic sites.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 70

Middle Preclassic ceramics from the suburb group of Sacalero.

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Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 71.

Middle Preclassic ceramics (Guitarra Incised) from the Sacalero Group, El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 72.

Student Kara Nickels is located at the base of a pit placed in the bajo along the eastern side of the Sacalero causeway and detected nearly three meters of sterile clay sediments deposited over a black organic surface layer that may represent the original surface of the marsh before heavy sedimentation filled the bajo.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 73.

Excavations by Kara Nickels in the Sacalero (Zacalero) Causeway also revealed that the causeway was constructed and elevated with clay, with a thin layer of stucco over the surface.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 74.

Western proximal panel of the Jaguar Paw Temple after excavation and partial stabilization.

Note the presence of the original colors in the ear spool and the lower jaguar claw, with black, red, and cream colors clearly evident.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 75.

Professor Cesar Castañeda standing by a Kantemo tree, one of the primary trees for nesting macaws. This tree is one of numerous specimens found at the site of Civalito, suggesting that the area may have been home to the Scarlet Macaw before they had been plundered by villagers from nearby villages.

Photo: Cesar Castañeda.

Figure 76.

Specialists Jose Monzon, Faustino Camposeco, and Dr. Jack Schuster of Del Valle University in Guatemala City showing some of the 784 species of insects recovered from the Mirador Basin. Schuster’s important work has identified 10 new species of moths that are only known to exist in the Mirador Basin.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 77.

Some of the rare and new species of moths recovered from the Mirador Basin. The outstanding study by Del Valle University has contributed enormously to the justification of the preservation of the system.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 78.

Literacy classes being taught by students and staff after working hours to Guatemalan workmen so that they can begin to read and write.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 79.

Literacy classes taught to illiterate workmen by Debra McKay, medical specialist at the site.

Such classes provide a whole new level of dignity and self respect for workmen.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 80.

Staff and student member Dr. J. Craig Argyle teaching fundamental mathematics to workmen.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 81.

Archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel teaching fundamental hand movements to Guatemalan workmen learning to write for the first time.

79 | P a g e

Photo: Julie Hillebrant.

Figure 82.

Worker Catalino Veliz learning to write the basic vowels for the first time.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 83.

Medical technician Debra McKay attending to a tourist that had hiked in from Guatemala with burns from the Chichem Negro tree.

Photo: Debra McKay.

Figure 84.

Interpretive panels in place near the Mirador Heliport, which allows rest areas, shelter from rain, seating benches, and protection for the panels.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 85.

Interpretive panel at the base of the Jaguar Paw Temple (Str. 34), showing placement and protective covering over the panels.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 86.

Example of the interpretive panel at the base of Tigre Pyramid. This technology allows great imagery and allows information for the tourist. The panels were designed with text by the Mirador Basin project and the technology available from the U.S. Department of Interior.

Photo: Cynthia Perera.

Figure 87.

Interpretive panel at the base of the Jaguar Paw Temple showing the form and range of information available for the tourist. This technology only exists in the U.S. at present.

Photo: Cynthia Perera.

Figure 88.

Scanning device of the lower panels of the Central Acropolis Frieze by Dr. Travis Doering and Dr. Lori Collins of the University of South Florida. The scanning allowed for millions of points scanned per minute which provides a complete and detailed record of the panels before any intervention is conducted. Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 89.

Scanning the lower panels of the Frieze by the team from the University of South Florida.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 90.

Scanning of the panels of the Central Acropolis Frieze, University of South Florida.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 91.

University of South Florida team scanning El Mirador Stela 2.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 92.

Dr. Richard Hansen presenting an acceptance speech at the Alumni Awards dinner at Idaho State University. Looking on is Dr. Arthur Vailas, President of Idaho State University.

Photo: Jody Hansen.

Figure 93.

Jody and Richard Hansen in preparation for the Idaho State University Homecoming Parade in Pocatello, Idaho.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

Figure 94.

Cover of Idaho State University magazine, Fall 2009.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

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Figure 95.

CNN team on Tigre Pyramid at sunset. L-R: Francois Berger (APANAC) Dr. Richard Hansen (FARES-ISU), anchorwoman Brooke Baldwin (CNN), Jeff Morgan (GHF), camerman CNN, Leif Coorlim CNN Producer, and Dr. Roberto Labbe (APANAC).

Figure 96.

CNN interview of Francois Berger (APANAC), at El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen

Figure 97.

CNN interview of Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM) on the Jaguar Paw Temple at El Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 98.

Josephine Thompson (FARES) at the outside of the convention center in Merida, Mexico, for the 9th World Congress of Wilderness Areas.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 99.

Dr. Richard Hansen providing a keynote speech at the 9th World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico.

Photo: Julio Cotom.

Figure 100. Dr. Richard Hansen speaking at the 9th World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico.

Photo: Julio Cotom.

Figure 101. Booth set up by Julio Cotom (Mirador Basin Project) and Josie Thompson (FARES) at the World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico.

Photo: R.D. Hansen.

Figure 102. Members of the royal family of Abu Dahbi and members of the visiting entourage with Dr. Hansen at Tikal with the Folklore Ballet of Guatemala.

Photo: Ana Smith.

Figure 103. Members of the Stanford University Alumni Group on top of Danta Pyramid in a tour led by Dr. Jim Fox and Dr. Richard Hansen.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 104. Museum president Stephan Martin of the Quai Branly Museum of Paris, France, with French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum and authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Guatemala at the base of Danta pyramid.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 105. Vice President of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada (center) with Claudia Santizo CONAP director to the right of Dr. Hansen, Francisco Asturias Director of the Mirador-Rio Azul National Park (4th from right), and numerous government authorities and members of the office of the Vice Presidency on Danta pyramid.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 106. Vice President of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada, Claudia Santizo of CONAP, and executive members of the Vice Presidency with Dr. Hansen at the Central Acropolis panels.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 107. Press conference organized by the government of Guatemala for the press release about the Central Acropolis Frieze panels, conducted on the Jaguar Paw Temple at El Mirador.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

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Figure 108. Vice Minister of Culture Dr. Hector Escobedo, Minister of Culture Jeronimo Lancerio, Dr. Richard Hansen, and French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum at the Central Acropolis panels at El Mirador.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 109. Guatemalan team from INGUAT at the Tianguis Tourism Fair in Acapulco, Mexico.

Figure 110. Dr. Richard Hansen with a presentation at the Tianguis Tourism Fair in Acapulco, Mexico.

Figure 111. Lic. Paulino Morales (Mirador Basin), and Renee Berger de Rocaseme単o at the exhibit of the stucco heads at the Mirador Basin Museum in La Pedrera, Zone 6, in Guatemala City. The pieces are part of the exhibit.

Figure 112. Speakers at the Museum night at the Carlos F. Novella Museum included Minister of Culture Jeronimo Lancerio, Ing. Jose Miguel Torrebiarte of Cementos Progreso, and Dr. Richard Hansen among other speakers at this special event.

Photo: Laura Velasquez.

Figure 113. Among the distinguished guests were Fernando Paiz-Vice President of PACUNAM, Juan Jose Torrebiarte- CEO of Banco Industrial, Mexican Ambassador Eduardo Ibarrola, Dr. Richard Hansen, French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum, and Ing. Jose Miguel Torrebiarte of Cementos Progreso.

Photo: Josue Guzman.

Figure 114. Citi Group executives from Trinidad at Tikal after having visited El Mirador. L-R: Dr. Richard Hansen, Citibank Regional Executive Suresh Maharaj and his wife June, and friends Barry and Gail Sinanan from Trinidad.

Figure 115. Members of the Guatemalan Rotary Club at the luncheon at the Villa Maya Hotel after presentations by Dr.Richard Hansen and Juan Carlos Sagastume (Hotels Villa de Guatemala).

Photo: Rafael Sagastume.

Figure 116 Staff members at from the company Jades S.A. with several speakers at the special congress in Antigua on Maya tombs and burials.

Figure 117. Minister of Cultural Jeronimo Lancerio speaking at the Congress of Maya Tombs held in Antigua, Guatemala.

Photo: R.D. Hansen Figure 118. Radio personality Marta Yolanda Diaz Duran on the air with Dr. Richard Hansen in the radio studios high above Guatemala City.

Photo: Jorge Jacobs.

Figure 119. Event conducted in July at the Camino Real in Guatemala with thepresentation of the Tintal tourisim map by APANAC. Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos.

Figure 120. Francois Berger, president of APANAC and FARES-Guatemala in a special conference about Tintal and the presentation of the new tourist map of the site

82 | P a g e

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos).

Figure 121. Dr. Richard Hansen speaking at the Tintal conference at the Camino Real of Guatemala.

Figure 122. Community tourism guides with Vice President Rafael Espada, and R-L Governor of Peten Rudel Alvarez, Jose Julio Diaz of INGUAT, Corina Castellanos of CounterPart International, Bayron Castellanos-Director of Balam Association, Juan Trujillo-Rainforest Alliance, Francois Berger (APANAC), Cynthia Perera (DOI), Richard Hansen, Mario del Cid (Counterpart International), Francisco Asturias-Director Parque Nacional Mirador.

Photo: R.D. Hansen Figure 123. Meeting with all major hotel operators in the Peten with Vice President of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada. Also invited were Francois Berger (APANAC), and Richard Hansen (FARES- ISU).

Figure 124. Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada, Dr. Richard Hansen, and French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum on Danta pyramid.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos Figure 125. Vice president of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada, French Ambassador Micehele Ramis Plum, and Dr. Richard Hansen discuss the potential of the Mirador Basin for Guatemala.

Photo: Adelzo Pozuelos Figure 126. FARES board meeting at El Mirador.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU. Figure 127. Visit by Rolando Pineda Lam, Leticia de Pineda , Edgar Archile, Rebecca de Archile and friends on Danta, 2009.

Figure 128. Visit by the directors of ANACAFE, with directo William (Billy) Hempstead and World Coffee Organization President Nestor Osorio at El Mirador.

Photo: Patrocinio Gonzalez Figure 129. Visit by Taiwan ambassador Adolfo Sun, his wife, Violeta Tsu, and Claudia Rosales.

Figure 130 Taiwan ambassador Adolfo Sun and his wife Figure 131 Prince Albert II of Monaco addressing the gala in Monaco Figure 132 A subsequent important meeting with H.E. Bernard Fautier, Vice President and CEO of the Prince Albert Foundation and Minister Van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Monaco lead to an agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding between PACUNAM, FARES, APANAC and the Prince Albert Foundation Figure 133. Dr Richard Hansen speaking at the British Library in London.

Figure 134. Visit by Potash Corporation CEO Bill Doyle, Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM), Dr. Richard Hansen, Jay Raman of the U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer, Jose Miguel Torrebiarte of Cementos Progreso, Roberto Dalton and his wife Anabella, and the Ambassador of Spain Maria del Carmen Diez-Orejas, and Steve Miller (Helps International).

Photo by Potash assistant Dandan Xiang,

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Figure135. Members of the Mirador Basin project at work in the project lab at night.

Photo: Julie Hillebrant, ISU.

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fig 4 apanac board at event 4268 copy

fig 5 FARES Board

fig 6 Executive Board of Cerveceria Centroamericana

fig 7 Sra. Hilda Cofi単o and Dr Gaitan

fig 8 David and Ken Hitz of NET APP and the Hitz Foundation

fig 8 hitz on moto mulas jhISU_2735 copy

fig 3 Executive Board members of PACUNAM

fig 2 Board meeting of the Global Heritage Fund

fig 1 Map of the Mirador Basin

Fig 12 John Paul DeJoria, CEO of John Paul Mitchell systems next to the Middle Preclassic buried mask inside the Jaguar Paw Temple

fig 13 Operation 109M excavated by Idaho State University field school students

fig 14 Large stone monuments placed in a platform of Structure 304

fig 15 Central stairway up the Central Acropolis at El Mirador and leading to Structure 304

fig 16 Basal excavations of the central stairway of the Central Acropolis at El Mirador.

fig 17 Exposed architectural art near the summit of Structure 313 with archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel

Fig 11 Members of the PACUNAM and APANAC boards with Mel Gibson on Danta pyramid

fig 10 Montano Nissoti, CEO of Blue Oil of London with Dr. Hansen on the summit of

fig 9 Sra. Odette de Arzu and granddaughter Alejandra on the upper platform of the Jaguar Paw

fig 22Dr. Craig Argyle (ISU) and Dr. Richard Hansen (ISU) examining the stucco frieze that Argyle excavated during the 2008 and 2009 field seasons.

fig 26 Archaeologist Laura Velasquez excavating a small platform, Str. 4d3-4, located on the primary platform of Tigre Pyramid

fig 23 The frieze in the water collection system in the Central Acropolis, El Mirador, showing the nature of the stucco Figures that decorated the edge of the pools.

Fig 21 Beginning excavations of the faรงade of Structure 315

fig 24 Late Preclassic pottery (300 B.C.-A.D. 150) directly on the floor of the water collection pool

fig 18 Excavations at the northeast base of Structure 313 showing stairway, walls, and collapsed section of wall

fig 20 Archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel excavating a fragmented Late Preclassic bowl directly on the floor of Structure 313

fig 19 Excavations at the base of Structure 313 revealed Late Preclassic pottery (300 B.C.-A.D. 150)

fig 27 Excavations on the central stairway of Tigre Pyramid (Op. 01R).

fig 34 Excavations of the façade of Str. 4D3-2, the northern structure of the Tigre triad arrangement

fig 35 Excavations on the narrow passageway between the central dominant structure of Tigre, Str. 4D3-1 and Str 4D3-2 fig 33 An obsidian point located among human long bones on the summit of Tigre pyramid, indicating a possible battle scene that had taken place there

fig 32 Close up of the human long bones and the associated green obsidian point on Tigre pyramid

fig 31The “smoking gun” of Tigre Pyramid, Laura Velasquez located human long bones on the platform of the building

fig 36 Excavations of the passageway between Str. 4D3-1 and 4D3-2 indicating a layer of ash and broken Early Classic pottery, possibly a form of offering

fig 30 Chert projectile points recovered off the upper platform of Tigre pyramid. The stylistic differences suggest that the points were locally manufactured

fig 29 Some of the hundreds of obsidian projectile points recovered off the upper platform of Tigre pyramid

fig 28 Excavations on the northeastern façade of Tigre pyramid (Op. 01P).

fig 40 Middle Preclassic ceramics from the tunnel excavation of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.04.05

fig 44 Middle Preclassic ceramics from the Sacalero Causeway excavations to the immediate west of Str. 200 in the Cascabel Group, suggesting that the original causeway was PreClassic

fig 45 Middle Preclassic figurine fragments from the Sacalero Causeway.

fig 48 Lower stairway of Cascabel Str. 204, showing the size of the stones of the Middle Preclassic building

fig 50 Terminal Late Preclassic ceramic type known as Sacluc Black-on-orange, found on the floors of Cascabel Str. 204, indicating occupation late in the Preclassic periods

fig 41 Middle Preclassic ceramics from tunnel excavations of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.10.22

fig 37 Corner of Cascabel Structure 200, a Middle Preclassic building, showing the megalithic stones used in the construction

fig 42 Middle Preclassic ceramics from tunnel excavations of Cascabel Str. 200, Op. 200F.13.27

fig 46 Unusual tecomate rim sherd from the Sacalero Causeway showing color zoning and decoration of Middle Preclassic ceramics

fig 58 The southern wall of the upper central building of Danta, during consolidation and stabilization

fig 59 The southern wall of the upper central building of Danta after stabilization and consolidation and the scaffolding removed

fig 53 Middle Preclassic incised ceramics from Cascabel Str. 204

fig 56 Student Pilar Vasquez showing the carved surface of the shattered Monument 21

fig 54 Middle Preclassic pre-slipped incised ceramic from Cascabel Str. 204, typical of the surface decoration of these early ceramics

fig 52 Middle Preclassic ceramics (700-400 B.C.) from Cascabel Str. 204 showing the range of surface decoration of these early ceramics

fig 55 Horizontal excavations at the base of Str. 226, under the supervision of Pilar Vasquez

fig 57 Student Pilar Vasquez excavated the carved stucco surface of the plaza floor adjacent to a low platform

fig 60 The upper central dominant structure of Danta after stabilization and consolidation of the building

fig 64 Photograph of one of the buildings on the upper platform of Pava pyramid, located on the first level of Danta fig 67 Soil profile of a test excavation at Sacalero group showing the wide variation of soil colors in a vertical profile

fig 70 Middle Preclassic ceramics from the suburb group of Sacalero

fig 65 Excavations of the lower staircase at the base of Pava pyramid, showing the location of the original blocks at the base of the building

fig 68 Excavation of the wall system surrounding the Sacalero Group at El Mirador showing the layers of clay with a thin plaster floor applied directly to the surface of the clay fig 71Middle Preclassic ceramics (Guitarra Incised) from the Sacalero Group, El Mirador

fig 69 Stucco surface (near the point of the directional arrow) applied directly to the clay in the wall system where the Sacalero causeway joins the architectural group

fig 66 Test excavations at the suburb of Sacalero, El Mirador, showing plaster floor and a low wall dating to the Middle Preclassic period (ca.

600-400 b.C.)

fig 61 The upper central building of Danta showing the remains of the Late Preclassic stairway and the trees that were left incorporated in the stabilized building

fig 79 Literacy classes taught to illiterate workmen by Debra McKay, medical specialist at the site. Such classes provide a whole new level of dignity and self respect for workmen

fig 82 Worker Catalino Veliz learning to write the basic vowels for the first time

fig 80 Staff and student member Dr. J. Craig Argyle teaching fundamental mathematics to workmen

fig 78 Literacy classes being taught by students and staff after working hours to Guatemalan workmen so that they can begin to read and write

fig 81Archaeologist Beatriz Balcarcel teaching fundamental hand movements to Guatemalan workmen learning to write for the first time

fig 76 Specialists Jose Monzon, Faustino Camposeco, and Dr. Jack Schuster of Del Valle University in Guatemala City showing some of the 784 species of insects recovered from Mirador

fig 75 Professor Cesar Casta単eda standing by a Kantemo tree, one of the primary trees for nesting macaws fig 77 Some of the rare and new species of moths recovered from the Mirador Basin

fig 83 Medical technician Debra McKay attending to a tourist that had hiked in from Guatemala with burns from the Chichem Negro tree

Fig 87 Interpretive panel at the base of the Jaguar Paw Temple showing the form and range of information available for the tourist

fig 88 Scanning device of the lower panels of the Central Acropolis Frieze by Dr. Travis Doering and Dr. Lori Collins of the University of South Florida

fig 89 Scanning the lower panels of the Frieze by the team from the University of South Florida

fig 90 Scanning of the panels of the Central Acropolis Frieze, University of South Florida

fig 91 University of South Florida team scanning El Mirador Stela 2

fig 93 Jody and Richard Hansen in preparation for the Idaho State University Homecoming Parade in Pocatello, Idaho

fig 86 Example of the interpretive panel at the base of Tigre Pyramid

fig 85 Interpretive panel at the base of the Jaguar Paw Temple (Str. 34), showing placement and protective covering over the panels

fig 84 Interpretive panels in place near the Mirador Heliport, which allows rest areas, shelter from rain, seating benches, and protection for the panels

fig 98 Josephine Thompson (FARES) at the outside of the convention center in Merida, Mexico, for the 9th World Congress of Wilderness Areas

fig 99 Dr. Richard Hansen providing a keynote speech at the 9th World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico

fig 100 Dr. Richard Hansen speaking at the 9th World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico

fig 101 Booth set up by Julio Cotom (Mirador Basin Project) and Josie Thompson (FARES) at the World Wilderness Congress in Merida, Mexico

fig 102 Members of the royal family of Abu Dahbi and members of the visiting entourage with Dr. Hansen at Tikal with the Folklore Ballet of Guatemala

fig 103 Members of the Stanford University Alumni Group on top of Danta Pyramid in a tour led by Dr. Jim Fox and Dr. Richard Hansen

fig 97 CNN interview of Claudia Rosales (PACUNAM) on the Jaguar Paw Temple at El Mirador.

fig 96 CNN interview of Francois Berger (APANAC), at El Mirador

fig 94 Cover of Idaho State University magazine, Fall 2009

fig 114 Citi Group executives from Trinidad at Tikal

fig 113 Distinguished Guests

fig 108 Vice Minister of Culture Dr. Hector Escobedo, Minister of Culture Jeronimo Lancerio, Dr. Richard Hansen, and French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum at the Central Acropolis

fig 107 Press conference organized by the government of Guatemala for the press release about the Central Acropolis Frieze panels, conducted on the Jaguar Paw Temple at El Mirador

fig 110 Dr. Richard Hansen with a presentation at the Tianguis Tourism Fair in Acapulco, Mexico

fig 111 Lic. Paulino Morales (Mirador Basin), and Renee Berger de Rocaseme単o at the exhibit of the stucco heads at the Mirador Basin Museum in La Pedrera, Zone 6, in Guatemala City

Fig 106 Vice President of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada, Claudia Santizo of CONAP, and executive members of the Vice Presidency with Dr. Hansen at the Central Acropolis panels

fig 109 Guatemalan team from INGUAT at the Tianguis Tourism Fair in Acapulco, Mexico

fig 112 Speakers at the Museum night at the Carlos F. Novella Museum, Minister of Culture Jeronimo Lancerio, Ing. Jose Miguel Torrebiarte of Cementos Progreso, & Dr. Richard Hansen

fig 116 Staff members at from the company Jades S.A. with several speakers at the special congress in Antigua on Maya tombs and burials

fig 120 Francois Berger, president of APANAC and FARES-Guatemala in a special conference about Tintal and the presentation of the new tourist map of the site

fig 121 Dr. Richard Hansen speaking at the Tintal conference at the Camino Real of Guatemala

fig 124 Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada, Dr. Richard Hansen, and French Ambassador Michele Ramis-Plum on Danta pyramid

fig 125 Vice president of Guatemala Dr. Rafael Espada, French Ambassador Micehele Ramis Plum, and Dr. Richard Hansen discuss the potential of the Mirador Basin for Guatemala

fig 117 Minister of Cultural Jeronimo Lancerio speaking at the Congress of Maya Tombs held in Antigua, Guatemala

fig 115 Members of the Guatemalan Rotary Club at the luncheon at the Villa Maya Hotel

fig 119 Presentation of the Tintal tourisim map by APANAC

fig 122 Community tourism guides with Government Officials

fig 129Visit by Taiwan ambassador Adolfo Sun, his wife, Violeta Tsu, and Claudia Rosales

fig 130 Taiwan ambassador Adolfo Sun and his wife

Fig 131 Prince Albert II of Monaco addressing the gala in Monaco

Fig 132 Meeting with Prince Albert Foundation

Fig 133 Dr Richard Hansen speaking at the British Library in London

fig 134 Potash Corporation CEO and Strategic Mirador Allies

fig 128 Visit by the directors of ANACAFE, with directo William (Billy ) Hempstead and World Coffee Organization President Nestor Osorio at El Mirador

fig 127 Visit by Rolando Pineda Lam, Leticia de Pineda , Edgar Archile, Rebecca de Archile and friends on Danta

fig 126 FARES board meeting at El Mirador

fig. 135 Members of the Mirador Basin project at work in the project lab at night

fig 136 Fernando Pais, Dr. Richard Hansen, Mel Gibson & Victor Unda