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 Episode 1: Ancient Maya Water Management and Climate Change - Interview with Dr. Lisa Lucero

In the first episode of season two, Jhanella Mae and Alyssa sit down with Dr. Lisa Lucero, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an archaeologist and expert in ancient Maya water management strategies. (https://anthro.illinois.edu/directory/profile/ljlucero). 

Listen in as Dr, Lucero talks about the importance of capturing and storing rainwater for ancient Maya centers like Tikal. Massive self-cleaning reservoirs were important not only to support everyday life and agricultural pursuits, but for the political power of the ancient Maya rulers and nobles, as well. The conversation also includes an exploration of the ways that Ancient Maya water management strategies and responses to climatic changes can provide insights that we can learn from in our struggle to maintain access to clean drinking water in the face of climate change today!

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 Ep1 - Ancient Maya Water Management (w/ Dr. Lisa Lucero)

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 Episode 2: Ancient Maya Burial Practices and Skeletal Analyses - Interview with Dr. Carolyn Freiwald.

In the second episode of season two, Mae and Alyssa sit down with Dr. Carolyn Freiwald, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Mississippi, a bioarchaeologist and expert in ancient Maya skeletal and isotope analyses (https://socanth.olemiss.edu/carolyn-freiwald/).

Listen in as Dr, Freiwald, Alyssa, and Mae dispel the idea that ancient Maya culture was all about human sacrifice. Instead, Dr. Freiwald shifts the focus to all that we can learn about living people and daily life from analyzing burial contexts. She also provides an overview of how archaeologists can use bone isotopes to track ancient (and modern) migration patterns. Join us for this "spooky" Halloween Special episode!

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 Ep2 - Ancient Maya Skeletal Analyses (w/ Dr. Carolyn Freiwald)

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)

Season 2 Episode 4: Ancient Maya Ballgame - Interview with Stephanie Lozano

In the fourth episode of season two, Mae and Alyssa chat with UC Riverside PhD Candidate and CSUDH Lecturer Stephanie Lozano, who Zooms in from her field research in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Listen in as Prof. Lozano discusses different versions of the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame, including the Maya version (Pok ta Pok) and the Central Mexican version (Ullama). Not only is Stephanie an expert about so many different aspects of the ancient ballgame, but she is a member of a few modern Mesoamerican ballgame teams that are revitalizing the sport right here in LA.

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 Ep4 - Ancient Maya Ballgame (w/ Stephanie Lozano)

Season 3 Episode 1: Jade Caches and the Preclassic Period in the North - Interview w/ Evan Parker

In the first episode of season three, Mae and Alyssa sit down with Evan Parker, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Millsaps College and Co-Director of the Proyecto Arqueologico de Sitios de Pequena Escala en el Puuc Oriental. (https://millsaps.academia.edu/EvanParker)

Listen in as Prof. Parker discusses some of his team's recent finds at the small Preclassic site of Paso del Macho in northern Yucatan, Mexico, including an amazing series of greenstone caches buried at the site's founding. Alyssa, Mae, and Prof. Parker discuss broader developments during the Preclassic Period across the Maya lowlands that set the foundation for the later, more well-known Classic Period 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 3 Student Co-hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez and Alyssa Guerrero
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez, Lesli Hernandez Arevalo, Annais Garcia
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep1 - Jade Caches and the Preclassic Period in the North (w/ Evan Parker)

Season 3 Episode 2: Stone Weapons and Tools - Interview w/ Dr. Alejandra Roche Recinos

In the second episode of season three, Mae and Alyssa interview Dr. Alejandra Roche Recinos, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Reed College in Portland, OR. (https://www.reed.edu/faculty-profiles/profiles/roche-recinos-alejandra.html)

Listen in as Dr. Roche Recinos discusses the different types of stone weaponry made and used by the Classic Maya, as well as what the production and exchange of lithics like obsidian tools can tell us about the Classic Maya economy. Alyssa, Mae, and Dr. Roche Recinos discuss the broader socio-economic implications of stone quarrying, processing, and trade and how archaeologists go about learning key insights into ancient Maya society from the material remains they left behind.

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 '24). April Whitcomb (Communication, '24) is now serving as the producer/editor.

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 3 Student Co-hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez and Alyssa Guerrero
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez, Lesli Hernandez Arevalo, Annais Garcia
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep2 - Stone Weapons and Tools (w/ Dr. Alejandra Roche Recinos)

Season 3 Episode 3: Lithics in Belize - Interview w/ Dr. Rachel Horowitz

In the third episode of season three, Mae and Alyssa interview Dr. Rachel Horowitz, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Washington State University (https://anthro.wsu.edu/faculty-and-staff/rachel-horowitz-2/)

Listen in as Dr. Horowitz discusses how Classic Maya communities in Belize made and used chert stone tools, and what analyzing tool production processes can tell us about the ancient economy.  Alyssa, Mae, and Dr. Horowitz discuss the broader socio-economic implications of chert quarrying and production and what stone tools can tell us about rituals related to the underworld.

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 '24). April Whitcomb (Communication, '24) is now serving as the producer/editor.

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 3 Student Co-hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez and Alyssa Guerrero
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez, Lesli Hernandez Arevalo, Annais Garcia
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep3 - Chert Quarrying and Processing (w/ Dr. Rachel Horowitz)

Season 3 Episode 4: Lidar Airborne Laser Scanning - Interview w/ Dr. Tom Garrison

In the fourth episode of season three, Mae and Alyssa interview Dr. Tom Garrison, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/geography/faculty/tg8227

Listen in as Dr. Garrison discusses how lidar airborne laser scanning technology has transformed the study of ancient Maya settlement patterns, human-environment relationships, socio-political dynamics, and warfare over the past decade. After over 100 years of archaeological research in the Maya lowlands, the adoption of this new technology has been reshaping much of what we previously thought we knew about Classic Maya cities and hinterlands. Alyssa, Mae, and Dr. Garrison discuss the broader implications of applying these massive spatial datasets and how he envisions the lidar revolution continuing in the near future.

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 '24). April Whitcomb (Communication, '24) is now serving as the producer/editor.

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 3 Student Co-Hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez and Alyssa Guerrero
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez and Lesli Hernandez Arevalo
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep4 - Lidar Airborne Laser Scanning (w/ Dr. Tom Garrison)

Season 3 Episode 5: Cultural Heritage Preservation - Interview w/ Dr. Tomás Gallareta Cervera

In the fifth episode of season three, Mae, Alyssa and Reese interview Dr. Tomás Gallareta Cervera, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Latino/Latina Studies at Kenyon College. https://www.kenyon.edu/directory/tomas-gallareta-cervera/

Listen in as Dr. Gallareta discusses is his current research on cultural heritage and conservation in the Puuc Region of the northern Maya lowlands. Dr. Gallareta has worked with local community members on the digital archiving project "Voices Of The Puuc Angels: Rural Life Among The Archaeological Ruins In The Yucatan Peninsula,” which, through oral history, contributes to the decolonization of contemporary archaeology.

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 3 are Jhanella Mae Martinez (Art History '24), Alyssa Guerrero (Anthropology '24), and Reese Santonil (Anthropology '24). April Whitcomb (Communication, '24) is the podcast's producer/editor for the third season.

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 3 Student Co-Hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez, Alyssa Guerrero, and Reese Santonil
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez and Lesli Hernandez Arevalo
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep5 - Cultural Heritage Preservation (w/ Dr. Tomás Gallareta Cervera)

Season 3 Episode 6: Geogarchaeology and Ancient Environments - Interview w/ Yesenia Rubi Landa

In the sixth episode of season three, Mae, Alyssa and Reese interview Yesenia Rubi Landa, PhD Candidate at the University of Texas Austin https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/geography/gradstudents/yrl99

Listen in as Rubi discusses her current geoarchaeological research near the site of Tikal, Guatemala and how archaeologists can use soil analyses to understand ancient environments. Rubi completed her MA Thesis research as a member of the Proyecto Arqueologico El Zotz and will be continuing her PhD research on ancient Maya subsistence patterns and changes to their environments.

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 3 are Jhanella Mae Martinez (Art History '24), Alyssa Guerrero (Anthropology '24), and Reese Santonil (Anthropology '24). April Whitcomb (Communication, '24) is the podcast's producer/editor for the third season.

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 3 Student Co-Hosts: Jhanella Mae Martinez, Alyssa Guerrero, and Reese Santonil
Season 3 Student Producer: April Whitcomb
Co-creators: Jackeline Hernandez and Lesli Hernandez Arevalo
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisor: Dr. Ken Seligson
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S3 Ep4 - Lidar Airborne Laser Scanning (w/ Dr. Tom Garrison)

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