Anabel Ford distinguished herself in Mesoamerican archaeology with research on the evolution of settlement and environment patterns, demystifying traditional views of the ancient Maya by examining the human aspects of this glamorous civilization. This forms the foundation for her current trajectory.

Using anthropology as a springboard for interdisciplinary research, she proposes ancient traditions yield contemporary solutions for the Maya forest of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. "Action Archaeology" is a term she has coined to describe how her focus on cultural ecology- the multifaceted relationships of humans and their environment - is being applied at El Pilar for the benefit of contemporary populations. The co-evolution of human societies and the environment bring particular relevance to the study of Maya prehistory. At El Pilar Ford is advancing programs that will simulate "Maya Forest Gardens" as an alternative to resource-diminishing, slash-and-burn farming methods.

Research this past year began the examination of the detailed construction chronology of the major regional Maya center of El Pilar, the mapped extent of which spans across the contended international boundary between Belize and Guatemala. With funding from Fulbright-Hays, large scale excavations were launched in the southern public sector of El Pilar, revealing an extraordinarily long prehistory beginning before 600BC and running through 1000 AD.

The El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna, established this year with U.S. Agency for International Development funds in Belize promotes a model of cultural heritage stewardship, nature conservation, and community development relying on collaboration of local villagers, nations of the region, and international scholars from the global community to bring the vision to fruition. Progress is moving forward in Guatemala, where the reserve has been designated within the Biosfera Maya.

As part of an international congress in Mexico, Ford hosted a symposium devoted to El Pilar which included archaeology, architecture, conservation, development, tourism, and zoology and featured presenters from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the US Ford also presented on the wide-ranging implications of the El Pilar Program at the Environmental Sciences Department at Grinell College, at the Human Biology Department at Stanford, at the First International Maya Archaeology Symposium in Belize, 'on site' at El Pilar, to the foreign service representatives in Belize, and to the Ministry of Culture - Instituto de Antropologia e Historia in Guatemala.

These public outreach efforts have hoisted El Pilar into the spotlight, and voluntary philanthropic groups such as EarthKind, Raliegh International and Global Roots have committed interests in the reserve. Press coverage of the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve and Program has been extensive in Mesoamerica countries as well as in the US.

Field Director Clark Wernecke with Anabel Ford