Maya Archaeology — Rio Bravo Archaeological Survey and Field School, Belize

Location: Orange Walk District, Belize

Season: May 17, 2026 to July 11, 2026

Session Dates: (Pre-Season: May 17- June 13, 2026), Field school: June 14th to July 11th, 2026

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: https://www.BelizeArchaeologyFieldschool.com

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Programme for Belize Archaeology Project, University of Texas at Austin, Community College of Philadelphia

Project Director:
Stan Walling, PhD, RPA

Project Description:

Uncover the mysteries of ancient Maya civilization in a protected tropical rainforest! The Rio Bravo Archaeological Survey provides hands-on, college-level instruction in archaeological field methods within a cutting-edge research project. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll rotate between excavation, digital survey mapping, and laboratory work as you investigate the forest-covered remains of 1,200-year-old Maya household structures, residential terraces, ancient water-control systems, and one of the only known Late Classic-period commoner ballcourts. Help document the sophisticated lives of everyday Maya people—the 95% of the population rarely explored by archaeology—during the final decades before the collapse of Maya civilization. No experience necessary. Adventure awaits!

Period(s) of Occupation: Ancient Maya, Late-Terminal Classic Period (A.D. 700–850)

Notes:
The RBAS is based at a tropical research station in a protected rainforest where the last human residents were the ancient Maya who lived here 1,200 years ago. Training includes traditional excavation, electronic survey, laboratory techniques, and (as circumstances permit) geoarchaeological methods such as ground-penetrating radar. The 2026 season will focus on reconnaissance in unexplored sections of the forest, foundations of commoner houses, water management features, and other structures scattered across the Late-Terminal Classic landscape. Day trips to restored Maya sites like Lamanai and La Milpa are included! The research area is home to incredible neotropical wildlife, including spider and howler monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, and other tropical animals, including over 400 bird species.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 2 weeks (4 weeks for certification)

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: None

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodations at the Richard E. W. Adams Research Facility, a tropical research camp inside the Programme for Belize, with rustic dormitory space and covered tent platforms (tents provided). Full-time cooks prepare three meals daily; laundry is handled weekly by local staff. Cost: ~$2,400 for 4 weeks (~$1,300 for 2 weeks). Includes food, housing, airport transportation (3 hrs each way), field equipment, and daily site transport. Additional costs include: airfare, personal expenses, vaccinations, and travel medical insurance.

Academic Credit:
Optional — Up to 9 undergraduate credits through the University of Texas at Austin (summer tuition rate). Non-credit students/volunteers are encouraged!