Ariana Yanez Field Blog 1, June 19, 2019
The first thing that hit me when I walked off the plane in Belize was the humidity.
Coming from dry California, the humidity was not something I was used to. I was also
nervous about being in a different environment, but at the same time I was excited
to learn everything I could about the culture and archaeology of the region. When
we were driving away from the airport, I got to see the beauty of the surrounding
landscape, and I couldn鈥檛 help but keep my head out the window despite my jetlag and
the humidity.
Ariana Yanez (L) and Mike Mirro (R) excavate in Rio Frio Cave A.
The first day of excavation I was nervous because it had been more than a year since
I was in a field school setting. Dr. Spenard had previously taught me about Maya archaeology,
and I was trying my best to recall that knowledge and use those skills. I realized
there was a lot I did not remember from my coursework. But, as I continued excavating,
my knowledge of the Maya started to resurface, and I was able to apply what I learned
in the classroom to this real-world field environment.