Laura is an archaeologist with previous experience at a number of Preclassic through Postclassic sites in Guatemala. While her archaeological focus has been on figurine use and household ritual, her work also reaches into public archaeology to include education and community development. Laura draws on these experiences as part of the San Bartolo-Xultun project where she has directed archaeological investigations and coordinated outreach to nearby communities in Petén. She loves working in the ancient sites surrounded by tropical jungles!

Rob is an environmental anthropologist and remote sensing specialist, with expertise in the study of human-environment interactions across Latin America. He is currently Associate Dean of the College of Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Earth Science, where he collaborates with various researchers and students on applied science issues critical to understanding the dynamics between the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Rob participated in the original mapping of San Bartolo, returning in 2019 to work with lidar data and direct project investigations related to anthropogenic modifications of past and present ecosystems in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Rob enjoys hiking with his wife Clare and their three children.

Kelsey is a research associate at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she specializes in using remote sensing to address long-term landscape change and resilience, including space archaeology. Kelsey also works as a research scientist with the NASA SERVIR program, focusing on the assessment of coastal resilience in Latin America, primarily through mapping and monitoring of mangrove ecosystems. Her previous projects include gold mining in Peru, monitoring ephemeral water bodies in the West African Sahel, mapping Chacoan archaeological features, and supporting National Forest management in Alabama. Outside of work she enjoys exploring the southeastern U.S. with her husband, kids, and dog! Prior to university, Kelsey trained to be an opera singer!

Josué is an independent scholar with over ten years of experience as an architectural draftsman and archaeological assistant for projects at Copan, Tikal, Holtun, and Tintal, as well as San Bartolo-Xultun. In addition to his expert skills as a draftsman, Josue has been learning GIS and is a key member of the ground survey team. Josué’s familiarity with Maya architecture enhances his work to identify architectural features under dense forest coverage and map these features. He also tends to have remarkable luck in finding new monuments.

Doug holds a research faculty position in the School of Engineering, University of Vermont, where he is exploring the roles of engineering in architectural conservation. He is an expert member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH) and the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH). Since 2011, Doug has been involved in the micromorphological characterization of ancient plasters and earthen construction materials and structural health monitoring of archaeological sites in the Southwest U.S., including Canyon de Chelly, Casa Grande, Montezuma Castle, Tonto, and Natural Bridges National Monuments.

Franco, currently Lecturer in Archaeological Materials at MIT, holds many roles across the project as an archaeologist, epigrapher, and art historian. His research explores how writing, expertise, and representations of nature were managed within Maya statecraft, and the ecological implications of these processes. A project member since 2008, much of Franco’s research focused on the Late Classic period murals discovered at Xultun Structure 10K-2 in 2010. He is currently directing the documentation of stelae and excavations associated with carved monuments at Xultun, and is leading the project’s digital humanities initiatives to disseminate the art and architecture from San Bartolo and Xultun.

Anahí is an archaeology student at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, with a special interest in lithics. Anahí joined the project in 2023 and has participated in both excavations and laboratory activities. She has previously worked analyzing obsidian in the laboratories of the Ceibal-Petexbatún Archaeological Project, the Uaxactún Regional Archaeological Project, the Lake Miraflores Project, and the Proyecto Parqueo Amarillo.

David is the Schele Professor of Mesoamerican Art and Writing in the Department of Art and Art History at The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on the art, archaeology and epigraphy of ancient Mesoamerica, with a focus on Maya civilization. Since the late 1970s he has been at the forefront of the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphic writing and visual culture. His early work on Maya art and writing led to a MacArthur Fellowship, A Guggenheim Fellowship, and a UNESCO Lifetime Achievement Award. As project epigrapher, David is examining the corpus of early writing from the San Bartolo murals, as well as new texts from Xultun and Xulbe. More broadly, his research is focused on the Maya sites of San Bartolo, Copan, Palenque, and La Corona, as well as in the study of central Mexican script and image.

Antolín is a Guatemalan archaeologist with 20 years of experience in reconnaissance, mapping, and geographic information systems (GIS) at sites in Guatemala and Honduras, including the well-known sites of Holmul and Copán. Antolín joined the San Bartolo-Xultun team during 2023 season to apply his skillset verifying LiDAR data and excavating causeways and terminus groups. He is an avid mountain biker, though has yet to trek to SBX by bike!

Enrique is an archaeologist and has the role of laboratory manager for the San Bartolo-Xultun project. He is a student in the Licenciatura program in Archaeology at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, with experience in ceramic analysis and interest in conservation. Enrique has worked at several archaeological sites in the Petén Lowlands region of Guatemala, served as team member of the Investigación, Conservación y Restauración de Monumentos, as well as participated in LiDAR data analysis and verification.

Angelyn, a specialist in the in situ conservation of architectural features, finishes, and wall paintings, has been lead wall paintings conservator at San Bartolo and Xultun since 2002. She is a Research Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico, and principal at Conservation Associates. Angelyn’s current research interests include micromorphological analysis of earthen plasters, preservation of earthen/stone masonry architecture and earthen architectural finishes on Pueblo archaeological sites in the American Southwest including ancient Pueblo murals at Canyon de Chelly and Mesa Verde, and the conservation of Preclassic- and Classic-period Maya wall paintings on lime plasters at several sites in Guatemala.

David is an archaeologist with over 15 years of experience, including the excavation of Preclassic monumental architecture at Xultun and royal residential architecture of Bejucal, Guatemala. He has worked on Guatemala’s southern coast and in the highlands, and is now co-director for the El Perú-Waka’ project. David continues to collaborate with PRASBX and brings this diverse regional experience to his survey and GIS work as a part of the project.

Jessica is full-time faculty in Anthropology and Latin American Studies at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) in Albuquerque. She worked at San Bartolo during the earliest field seasons, from 2002-2005, when she researched rituals performed by inhabitants during its Terminal Classic decline. Jessica was delighted to rejoin PRASBX in 2023 with research interests in ceramic analysis, ceremonial behavior, and landscape archaeology. At CNM, Jessica runs the study abroad program and has introduced multiple groups of students to Guatemala, and participated in archaeological projects in Belize and New Mexico. Jessica and her family love living in New Mexico and especially enjoy finding new places to hike - the green chile is pretty great, too.

Pedro is a student pursuing his Licenciatura in Archaeology at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. His academic training included research at archaeological sites in the Middle Motagua region and the Guatemalan highlands. Pedro joined the PRASBX team in 2023, participating in research on residential settlement at the site of Xulbe and now focusing on hydraulic features at the sites of Xulbe and San Bartolo.