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 podcast is co-created by co-hosts 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).

Episode 1: Ancient Maya Burnt Lime - Interview with Dr. Kenneth Seligson

In the pilot episode, Jackeline and Lesli sit down with Dr. Kenneth Seligson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at CSUDH and an archaeologist specializing in human-environment relationships and ancient technology in the Northern Maya Lowlands, to discuss his research on Ancient Maya burnt lime production. The Ancient Maya used burnt lime to build their amazing temple pyramids and palaces, pave their broad plazas with plaster, and process maize into a nutritious staple food. Dr. Seligson and his team recently identified a fuel-efficient pit-kiln technology that Ancient Maya communities developed to conserve their natural forest resources while producing the lime that they needed for so many aspects of daily life. Dr. Seligson's recent article titled “Lime Powder Production in the Maya Puuc Region (A.D. 600–950): An Experimental Pit-Kiln” serves as a jumping off point for the discussion.

Co-Hosts: Jackeline Hernandez, Lesli Hernandez Arevalo
Producer: Annais Garcia
Music: (Copyright) Shannon Gaebrielle Hefley 2022
Advisors: Dr. Kenneth Seligson, Dr. Fernando Severino
Consultant: Rebecca Lee Douglas

S1 Ep1 - Ancient Maya Burnt Lime (w/ Dr. Ken Seligson)

CSUDHanthropology