Guilderland Parks & Recreation
• Register Now •

Archaeology - The Classic Maya!

This program is currently unavailable. Click here to view all of our current programs.


Earth
Recent discoveries in the heartland of Maya culture by turns awe and confuse archaeologists. The sophistication of their mathematics, calendrics and art seem to be at odds with their warfare, superstition and relatively sudden collapse. In this dig we will attempt to shed light on this mysterious culture based on discoveries at a Belizean site named Lamanai, where for 1,500 years the best and worst of what the Maya did is well preserved.

Information
  • Students will be asked to handle the remains of people, material, art and architecture in such a way as to derive a coherent story of "what happened at Lamanai?" more than 1,100 years ago.
  • The concepts, tools and practices of archaeology will be taught and used in this camp, so children will understand how professionals know what they know about the Maya, and perhaps enable them to peer a little into the darkness surrounding this culture's most puzzling, sacred habits.
  • The Maya may be for us in the modern world a slightly disturbing, distorted mirror: we see things in them and their experience that seem contemporary.
  • If your child takes nothing else from this dig, I hope it will be the sense that, no matter how ancient a culture is, humans and humanity don't change all that much.
  • The camp's digging is interspersed with stories and pictures of Maya art, life, buildings and discoveries to aid children in their understanding of the subject matter.
  • Learning the tools and thoughtways which disclose these cultural insights to children is ambitious, I know!
  • But for many years now, the chance to do just that has brought diggers back to Guilderland again and again to uncover and understand the secrets of the past.
  • Be one of the cognoscenti! Help dig up the Maya of Lamanai this summer! You never know when, or where, knowledge of them might turn out to be useful...
  • Instructions: Campers should arrive dressed for the weather, with appropriate footwear and a cap or hat. Sunblock and kid-friendly bug dope may also be needed.
  • All campers should pack a hearty lunch, labeled drink and a snack.
  • Space is limited; please sign up early if you wish to have your children attend.
  • Aftercare: M-Th only, $30 until 5:15p. No early care available, drop off from 8:30a.
  • Friday exhibit: the children's finds will be exhibited during a feast (on a Maya culinary theme) from noon until 2:00p on Friday August 28th. Families should plan to take their children after this as there is no program offered after 2:00p when staff must disassemble the site and materials. Questions: contact Linda Cure at the Town of Guilderland Parks and Recreation or the instructor, geofpurcell@gmail.com

Information
  • Campers should arrive dressed for the weather, with appropriate footwear and a cap or hat.
  • Sunblock and kid-friendly bug dope may also be needed.
  • All campers should pack a hearty lunch, labeled drink and a snack.
  • Space is limited; please sign up early if you wish to have your children attend.
  • Bus Transportation: NOT AVAILABLE

* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

 Return to Programs    View All Activities


Share This Page: