Blue Creek Archaeological Project: 2025 Summer Field School
The Maya Research Program (MRP) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to sponsoring archaeological and ethnographic research in Middle America. Since 1992, MRP has conducted archaeological fieldwork in northwestern Belize, supporting the Blue Creek Archaeological Project. This extensive research initiative focuses on key sites, including Blue Creek, Grey Fox, Nojol Nah, Tulix Mul, Tz’unun, and Xnoha. Many of MRP’s publications are available here.
MRP has played a pivotal role in documenting, preserving, and protecting Maya heritage in northwestern Belize. Over the past 29 years, more than 3,000 students and volunteers have contributed to this ongoing effort. The current Blue Creek project team includes faculty members and graduate students from over a dozen universities worldwide, and is affiliated with the University of Texas at Tyler.
In Summer 2025, MRP will celebrate the 30th field season of the Blue Creek Archaeological Project! This milestone underscores MRP’s commitment to supporting a diverse and talented group of researchers from around the globe. Our research team includes not only archaeologists, but also specialists in fields such as soil science, geoarchaeology, geography, conservation, bioarchaeology, botany, and anthropology.
Each summer, MRP hosts several two-week field school sessions at the Blue Creek site, offering students and volunteers the chance to participate in hands-on archaeological training. The MRP Field School provides participants with practical experience in archaeological excavation, manual and digital recording methods, artifact recovery, and preliminary analysis.
For detailed information on what to expect during your time with MRP—such as daily activities, housing arrangements, and what to bring—please consult our Participant Guide.
MRP offers scholarships to help offset participant costs. Students are strongly encouraged to apply for these opportunities. The deadline for scholarship applications is March 15, 2025.
2025 Field Season Dates:
Session 1: June 2 – June 15, 2025
Session 2: June 16 – June 29, 2025
Session 3: June 30 – July 13, 2025
Enrollment for the 2025 field season is now open. We invite you to join us in continuing this important work of research and preservation!
Enrollment Process:
The maximum number of participants for each 2-week session ranges from 20 to 25 students and volunteers. To enroll, the applicant should forward an enrollment form and deposit to the Maya Research Program. (Please note that you must provide proof that you have received a COVID vaccine (and applicable boosters) to participate in the project.)
You can email these forms to Dr. Thomas Guderjan at mrpinquiries@gmail.com or via postal mail to 1910 East Southeast Loop 323 #296, Tyler, Texas, 75701.
Cost:
A special first-session rate of $1750 is available to students currently enrolled in an accredited University or College. Students are encouraged to apply for a MRP scholarship to reduce their costs.
The donation for a single two-week session for non-students is $1850 USD.
If more than one session is desired, the donation is $1450 for each additional session (for both students and non-students).
A non-refundable deposit of $250 per session is required to hold your spot.
Participants are responsible for their travel costs to and from Belize.
If a student wishes to receive academic credit, tuition costs (via the University of Texas at Tyler or their home institution) will apply in addition to the required donation to the Maya Research Program
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Additional Information:
You can read numerous MRP publications are here.
You can also download MRP's Participant Guide here.
Interested in joining the team?