Empowering Belizean Heritage Through Bioarchaeology: Aneducational and capacity building workshop for current and future generations in Belize (WGF - Workshop Grant)

This resource is an application for a Workshop Grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation. Bioarchaeology has the capacity to serve as a conduit for public engagement in reconstructing the past, particularly in connecting descendant communities, past peoples, and those who study them. However, criticisms of public engagement often arise when outreach efforts don’t effectively engage in capacity building with local communities or involve them in the reconstruction process. In Belize, this is especially problematic as there is growing interest in Maya bioarchaeology, yet there remains a lack of engagement between professionals and the broader community, including the tourist industry, which largely benefits from publicizing archaeological excavations to visitors, and early career Belizeans who want to be active agents in reconstructing and contribute to safeguarding their cultural heritage. This workshop addresses this gap between bioarchaeological research and living heritage in communities in western Belize, including Belizean and Mayan students from Galen University, professionals, government officials, and U.S. students through a three-day workshop series. This series will provide participants skills in bioarchaeological field and lab methods, the process of reconstructing past lives, and a sustainable network for community engagement in Maya bioarchaeology in Belize. Importantly, it will expand the stewardship of Mesoamerican bioarchaeology in the region and directly involve Mayan researchers in reconstructing their past.