MEET OUR PROJECT CO-DIRECTORS & LIAISONS

Dr. Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown & Dr. Shawn G. Morton (Principal & Associate Investigators)

Meaghan is an Associate Professor in the Anthropology Program at Athabasca University (AU) in Canada. She is also Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology & Archaeology at the University of Calgary. She received her Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of Calgary in 2013 and has been involved in archaeological research in Belize since 1999. Meaghan’s research focuses on the built environment and production studies of material culture in Mesoamerica. She investigates how individuals, households, and communities negotiated their positions in locally and regionally defined socio-political and economic institutions. She also studies the impact of such negotiations on the overall ancient settlement processes and urban/urban-like development. Visit Meaghan’s AU profile to learn more.

Shawn is an Instructor at Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) in Canada. He completed his Ph.D. in the Department of Anthropology & Archaeology at the University of Calgary (2015), where he is now an Adjunct Researcher. His research interests focus on the roles of architecture/built space, ritual, and religion in the constitution of group identity at local and polity levels (particularly in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean). Visit Shawn’s NWP profile to learn more.

Dr. Jill Jordan (Associate Investigator and Ceramicist)

Jill completed her Ph.D. in Archaeology from the University of New Mexico (2019). Her research interests include ceramic typological analysis, ceramic technology, domestic craft production, regional interaction networks and economic systems, intracommunity household organization, thin section petrography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), sedimentary geology, and ancient Maya acquisition, manipulation, and use of clay and rock resources for ceramic production. She joined SCRAP in 2016 as a consultant, then lab director in 2019, and is now an Associate Investigator.

Mr. Higinio Chiac Sr. (Community Liaison/Foreman)

Mr. Chiac is a respected resident of Maya Mopan Village in the Stann Creek District, having served in various leadership positions over the years. He has worked with the SCRAP project from the beginning, serving as our community liaison. He now works with us as our foreman in the field as well.

Ms. Sonieda Teul (Educational Outreach Advisor & Facilitator)

Sonieda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology Education from the University of Belize and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education Leadership at UB. She is a Belizean Studies and Integrated Science teacher at Georgetown Technical High School, and a proud Mopan Mayan woman from the village of Maya Mopan, Stann Creek District. Sonieda is an active member of her community who enjoys volunteering. She is a passionate football referee, teacher and organizer. In 2022, she helped organize educational outreach for SCRAP and is so happy to officially join the SCRAP team in 2023.

Ms. Aurora & Mr. Ernesto Saqui (Spiritual Advisors & Community Liaisons)

Ms. Aurora & Mr. Ernesto are well-respected leaders, healers, and educators in their community of Maya Centre. As founders and members of the Juuntulico’on Organization, they provide our team with cultural and spiritual guidance and assist with our outreach in Maya Centre and beyond. They help SCRAP build relationships with other organizations and collaborate on many of our experimental archaeology studies. They also host our international crew while in Belize. Learn more about this dynamic duo at the Nuuk Cheil Cottages website.

*Please note that we will be taking a break from fieldwork in 2024 to focus on writing up manuscripts and applying for new funding.

MEET OUR 2023 FIELD TEAM

Mr. Matt Longstaffe (Field Director & Senior Field Supervisor)

Matt is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Calgary. He received his BA Honours Specialization in Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario (2008), and an MA in Anthropology from Trent University (2011). Matt’s research focuses on the impact of economic activities on the development of communities. His research interests include settlement pattern studies, household archaeology, ancient land use, production and exchange systems, and human-environment interactions. His research with SCRAP is partially supported by a SSHRC Ph.D. Fellowship.

Mr. Dave Blaine (Senior Field Supervisor, Social Media & GIS Specialist, Photographer)

Dave is an MA student at Athabasca University. He is also a photographer, videographer, and cartographic specialist. After completing his BA in Archaeology at the University of Calgary (2002), Dave continued his education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, earning a certificate in Photography (2006) and a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Geographic Information Systems (2016). Dave specializes in visual storytelling; using photographs, videos, and maps.  He has produced award-winning map products and served a variety of clients in the travel and real-estate industries, as well as in the fields of wildlife conservation, heritage, and archaeology.  Throughout his entrepreneurial career, he has combined his passions for communication, graphic design, research, and analytics in order to visualize complex subjects in accessible and informative ways. His research with SCRAP is partially supported by a SSHRC MA Scholarship.

Mr. Alson Ovando (Student Outreach Assistant)

Alson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of Belize. In 2021, he completed an internship with the Belize Institute of Archaeology (IA), stationed at the Serpon Sugar Mill Archaeological Reserve. At Serpon, he was responsible for collecting geospatial data and creating maps for the IA. Alson first joined SCRAP in 2018 as a volunteer at the Alabama archaeological site.

Mr. Riley Steidel (Student Volunteer)

Riley is entering the second year of his BA Anthropology degree at the University of Alberta and plans to complete a certificate in archaeology. In the summer of 2022, he joined Meaghan and Shawn on the Old Bezanson Archaeology Project in Alberta, where he helped excavate the house of town founder A.M. Bezanson. He is excited to join the SCRAP team and will be completing a research project focused on ancient construction material known as “daub,” in addition to assisting with excavations.

Local Participation: In addition to the above-mentioned individuals, each year we have numerous local field assistants, volunteers, and students as part of our amazing team. Research and outreach activities are conducted in consultation with the associated Village Alcalde, Chairperson, Village Council, and other local organizations and institutions. Additionally, numerous local Belizean business proprietors in the Stann Creek District and beyond provide our team with accommodation, food, vehicles, etc.

CURRENT RESEARCH COLLABORATORS/CONSULTANTS

• Ms. Sylvia Batty, Fajina Outreach/Heritage Education Network Belize (outreach)
• Mr. Joshua Arana, Stann Creek House of Culture (outreach)
• Dr. Elizabeth Webb, Western University (soil chemistry and isotope studies)
• Dr. Elizabeth Paris, University of Calgary (pXRF)
• Dr. Juan Carlos Fernandez-Diaz, University of Houston (lidar)

PREVIOUS FIELD CREWS

2023

Dave Blaine, Idenlfonso (Elfonso) Cal, Higinio Chiac Sr., Justino Chiac, Wilmer Chiac, Jillian Jordan, Matthew Longstaffe, Shawn Morton, Juan Paquiul, Melita Paquiul, Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown, Britny Pop, Kyra Pop, Riley Steidel, Delphina Sho, Karen Teck, Sonieda Teul, Andrew Tush, Arcela Tush, Lydia Tzub

2022

Dave Blaine, Idelfonso (Elfonso) Cal, Nora Chiac, Higinio Chiac Sr, Justino Chiac, Wilmer Chiac, Alvanio Chun, Juan Coc, Jillian Jordan, Matthew Longstaffe, Shawn Morton, Alson Ovando, Diego Paquiul, Juan Paquiul, Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown, Saralyn Smith, Doris Teul, Godwin Teul

2020-2021

The global COVID pandemic prevented us from conducting field research.

2019

D. Blaine and M. Peuramaki-Brown (Athabasca University); F. Tzib (Eden SDA High School); S. Morton (Northern Arizona University/Grande Prairie Regional College); I. Cal, H., Chiac Jr., H. Chiac Sr., J. Chiac, S. Chiac, V. Chiac, D. Paquiul, J. Paquiul, L. Salam, D. Sho, A. Tush (Maya Mopan); M. Longstaffe, E. N. Phillips, G. Taylor (University of Calgary); J. Jordan (University of New Mexico/Boundary End Center); I. Meulenberg and S. Fokké (Archeologische Dienst Suriname); Paul Smith (Institute of Archaeology Belize).

2018

Dr. Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown (Athabasca University); Dr. Shawn Morton (Northern Arizona University); Dr. Kathryn Reese-Taylor (University of Calgary); Dr. Linda Howie (HD Analytical Solutions/Western University); Dr. Joanna Potter (HD Analytical Solutions); Jillian Jordan (University of New Mexico); H. Chiac Sr., J. Paquiul, J. Chiac, I. Cal, L. Salam, H. Chiac Jr., S. Chiac, N. Teul, and T. Teul (Maya Mopan); Frank Tzib (Eden SDA High School); David Blaine (Creating Context, Inc.); A. Megan Williams (Athabasca University); D. Leslie and A. Ovando (University of Belize); J. Delos Reyes, J. Dowler, M. George, S. Hiwatashi-Kreusch, K. Hubenig, M. Longstaffe, A. Melena, N. Phillips, D. Smith, and G. Taylor (University of Calgary).

2017

We took a break to catch up, regroup, and refocus our investigations.

2016

Dr. Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown (Athabasca University); Dr. Shawn Morton (University of Calgary); I. Cal, H. Chiac Jr., J. Chiac, G. Choc, J. Paquiul, Z. Tush, and S. Chiac (Maya Mopan); Virginia Chiac (Independence Junior College); Teaghan Koster (Lakehead University), Cristina Oliveira (University of Florida), Kelsey Pennanen (Lakehead University), Megan Williams (Athabasca University)

2015

Dr. Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown (Athabasca University); Dr. Shawn Morton (University of Calgary); I. Cal, J. Cal, G. Choc, and J. Paquiul (Maya Mopan); Lisa Green (Galen University); Jesucita Guerra (University of Belize); Brittany Johnson (University of Calgary); Tawny Tibbits (University of Iowa)

2014

Dr. Sonja Schwake (Franklin & Marshall); Dr. Meaghan Peuramaki-Brown (McMaster University); G. Choc, J. Paquiul, and L. Salam (Maya Mopan);  Julila Paul (McMaster University); Steven Moodie (Trent University).

PREVIOUS CONSULTANTS/COLLABORATORS

• Dr. Tristan Carter, McMaster University (EDXRF)
• Mr. Giovanni Castillo, Northern Arizona University (AR/VR Technology)
• Mr. Colin Elliot, Athabasca University (visualization technology)
• Dr. Linda Howie, HD Analytical Solutions (petrography)
• Dr. Kelly Monteleone, Mount Royal University & University of Calgary (GIS)
• Dr. Joanna Potter, HD Analytical Solutions (Geology)
• Ms. Lorraine Stratkotter, University of Calgary (AU Virtual Archaeology Lab)
• Dr. Tawny Tibbits, University of Iowa (pXRF)