Perceptions about the ancient Maya have changed in the last decade with increased exploration and the advent of new technologies. With its abilities to penetrate dense tropical canopies, LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging) has revolutionized the field of Mesoamerican settlement archaeology.

Dr. Diane Z. Chase, executive vice president and provost and professor of anthropology, and Dr. Arlen Chase, professor of anthropology, will discuss the Caracol, Belize, dig site and how they use LiDAR data combined with 35 years of continuous archaeological research and excavation to reconstruct the structure of this ancient Maya city. They’ll talk about human decisions that resulted in Caracol’s successful adaptation and abandonment.