Join Maya Archaeologists Dr. Elizabeth Graham and Dr. Helen Haines in the remnants of a 3000 year old Maya City as they celebrate the dawn of a new Maya era, explore the culture's heritage, discuss memorable finds and the significance of Lamanai and Ka'Kabish within the Maya world

Dr. David Pendergast excavated several of Lamanai's Major structures during the period 1974 to 1986. In a style perhaps suited to an Indiana Jones movie, David & Elizabeth Graham met while he was working at Lamanai and she was Belize's Archaeological Commissioner; they were married in 1979 and Elizabeth assumed directorship of the Lamanai excavations in 1998. Elizabeth's work at Lamanai continues to this day and is currently focused on Lamanai's role during the Spanish and British colonial periods through which Lamanai remained a functioning settlement

Ka'Kabish is situated a few minutes drive from Lamanai's ceremonial center. Dr. Helen Haines began mapping & excavating the site in 2007. To date it has yielded one of only three known Maya "Cocoon Tombs," an 800 BC burial that included the first insitu "Olmec Jade Spoon" and strong indicators that Ka'Kabish, like many other sites linking Lamanai to the Maya of Guatemala and Belize's cayes, participated in the long-distance trade of elite objects. Excavations at Ka'Kabish have also produced indications that it may have at some point, ruled over Lamanai which is adding a fascinating and perhaps contentious twist to the commonly perceived relationship between the two sites. We will also examine the history and explore the remnants of Lamanai's 15th century Spanish Church and 18th century Colonial Sugar Mill

Dr. Frank Mazzotti of the Lamanai Field Research Center will discuss the importance of crocodiles and jaguars in Maya culture along with current day conservation initiatives. Resident naturalists will provide natural history & nature based field experiences in areas such as birding, botany and folklore

HOST INSTITUTION, FACILITY, DETAILS & RESERVATIONS:

• Hosted by the Lamanai Field Research Center - www.lamanai.org
• Facility provided by Lamanai Outpost Lodge - www.lamanai.com
• Host facility is within walking distance of the ruins, church & sugar mill
• Event is limited to a maximum of only 24 participants at any one time
• Event duration is December 18th through 22nd inclusive - 2012
• No children below the age of 15 years
• A minimum of three nights paid required
• Per person, per night double cost varies from US$430 to US$520
• Cost includes program, meals, transfers, taxes & accommodations
• Cost varies with room type, transfer options & single occupancy
• Email info@lamanai.org for information and reservations
• International airfare is not included

DIRECT FLIGHTS TO BELIZE ARE AVAILABLE FROM:
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