Ancient Maya Reaction to Spanish Colonization at Coco Chan

Initial research at the Coco Chan site in Belize took place over four weeks in June 2023 and utilized a $53,000 grant from SSHRC. The project focused on excavating the site to collect data that would provide evidence of Spanish presence at Coco Chan. Prior to this project, the site had not yet been studied in detail, so its size and quantity of ancient buildings were unknown.

This project also engaged a Belizean university and student. Because of the limitations of accessing graduate studies in archaeology in Belize, there are a lack of opportunities for Belizeans to receive funding grants like SSHRC. This project served as a starting point to develop collaborations with archaeologists and students in Belize, ensuring that the funding was beneficial to Belizeans as well as Canadians.