Current Research

Woman in hat seated drawing in front of a Maya inscription

Ongoing projects of field research, documentation, and preservation of monuments at sites in the publication series aim to connect descendant communities with historic documentation combined with new technologies, keep pace with the discovery of new monuments, and continue the folio publication series. To enhance accuracy of drawings, epigraphers assist with the review of new drawings prior to publication. 

a transparent slice view of three layers scans with a drawing layer above

Please note the most recent CMHI publications: Tonina, Vol 9.2, Cotzumalhuapa, Vol. 10.1, and Yaxchilan, Vol. 3.4. are available inbook form, but are not yet online. We are delighted to announce a new collaboration between Dumbarton Oaks Publications and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography to co-produce upcoming CMHI volumes. The Vol. 3.4 fascicle on Yaxchilan marked the start of this new co-publishing collaboration. 

Image negatives and published drawings have been transferred to the Peabody Museum Archives Department, which are searchable in Online Collections. Ongoing work includes the digitization of the vast Maya Corpus historic board collection and field drawings.

open file drawer with photo cards

Graham gave all Maya sites with inscriptions a three-letter code. An updated list can be viewed here. 

This Corpus web page provides a digital resource for communities, students and scholars for quick access to the published monuments and site maps.

Read more about the 3-D technology initiatives (Symbols, Spring 2008) for recording and preserving monuments: 3D optical scanning technology of the Hieroglyphic Stairway, Copan, Honduras; 3-D scanning pilot project.

Figures: (top) Citlali Coronel checking drawing of Stela 3 at Yaxchilan, 2020.0.22.557; (middle, left) Electronic drawing layers; (bottom, right) Historic board archive.

Research Highlights