New data platform illuminates history of humans’ environmental impact
The human environmental footprint is not only deep, but old. Ancient traces of this footprint can be found in animal…Read More
Austin, Bullen 2019 student research award winners named
The Florida Museum of Natural History recently announced the winners of the 2019 Austin Award and Bullen Award for student…Read More
How ancient Mayan shell decor led to a new look at freshwater mussels south of the border
The ancient Maya are not particularly known for their love of freshwater mussels. Mathematics, maize, pyramids and human sacrifice, yes….Read More
Old teeth, new stories
UF archaeologist uses Chicxulub ‘dinosaur crater’ rocks, prehistoric teeth to track ancient humans Where’s the best place to start when…Read More
Beyond the temples
Most of what we know about Mayan civilization relates to kings, queens and their elaborate temples. To understand what life…Read More
Earliest use of Mexican turkeys by ancient Maya
As a University of Florida graduate student, one of Erin Thornton’s first assignments was to identify turkey bones from an…Read More
Study counters ideas about Mayan elite craftworks
It’s easy to get carried away romanticizing the cushy lives of the fabulously wealthy, even those who lived in exotic…Read More
Bone collectors and sacred trash
To the Maya, throwing away the bones of hunted animals is as wasteful as throwing away the entire animal itself….Read More
Maya politics likely played role in ancient large game decline
When Kitty Emery goes hunting for large-game, she doesn’t have to wait for the right season, because the animals that…Read More
A queen’s final feast
In 426 AD, a noble we now know as K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’ (Great Sun First Quetzal Macaw), arrived in…Read More