Season 2 Episode 3: Ancient Maya Royal Courts - Interview with Dr. Jason Yaeger.

In the third episode of season two, Mae and Alyssa sit down with Dr. Jason Yaeger, President's Endowed Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas, San Antonio and Co-Director of the Mopan Valley Archaeological Project in Belize (http://anthropology.utsa.edu/faculty/jason-yaeger)

Listen in as Dr, Yaeger discusses some of his team's recent finds at the Classic Maya sites of Xunantunich and Buenavista del Cayo in western Belize, including a royal burial with a precious heirloom. Both sites were part of a large network of royal courts that competed with one another for power and sought to maintain influence by serving as mediators between the gods and their kingdoms. Alyssa, Mae, and Dr. Yaeger also discuss some of the reasons why human sacrifice continues to be a common theme associated with the ancient Maya civilization.

Uncovering the Ancient Maya is a student-run podcast dedicated to bridging the gap between Ancient Maya scholars and a broader public audience interested in the Ancient Maya civilization. The hosts interview archaeologists, art historians, ancient writing scholars, and other experts who specialize in studying the ancient Maya civilization of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Through their conversations, listeners are introduced to recent research projects about the Ancient Maya, providing us all an opportunity to learn the most up-to-date information about the ancient Maya civilization straight from the experts. The hosts for season 2 are Jhanella Mae Martinez (Art History '24) and Alyssa Guerrero (Anthropology '23).

The podcast was co-created by Jackeline Hernandez (Anthropology '22) and Lesli Hernandez Arevalo (Anthropology '22), and producer Annais Garcia (Journalism '22), and represents a collaboration between the Anthropology and Communications Departments at CSUDH. The theme music was created by Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley (Music '23).

Season 2 Co-hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez and Alyssa Guerrero
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez, Lesli Hernandez Arevalo, Annais Garcia
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S2 Ep3 - Ancient Maya Royal Courts (w/ Dr. Jason Yaeger)

CSUDHanthropology