Jamison Heckrotte, Recipient of the 2024–2025 Mark H. Sandler Award, Participates in Coriglia Excavation in Orvieto

Jamison Heckrotte, Recipient of the 2024–2025 Mark H. Sandler Award, Participates in Coriglia Excavation in Orvieto

For the past three summers, I have had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Summer Archaeology Field School at Dos Hombres, an ancient Maya site in northwestern Belize. The Programme for Belize’s Archaeological Project provided a hands-on introduction to archaeological field methods, including excavation, mapping, and artifact analysis. Working alongside students from all around the world and under the guidance of our experienced director, Dr. Rissa Trachman, I gained valuable insights into the ancient Maya civilization and Belizean culture. The field school was a great opportunity for me, and since it was my third year returning, I was able to help others while furthering my studies. Beyond the excavation work, the program included visits to significant Maya sites, such as Lamanai, Belize’s third-largest restored site, where we saw firsthand the results of past archaeological efforts. The combination of daily archaeological excavations, educational lectures, and group activities fostered a rich learning environment while creating unforgettable memories and friendships.

Class of 2026