Cancuén Regional Archaeological Project: Highland-Lowland Influence and Exchange along a Geographical Boundary

Future Research

The long-term prospects for successful research in this archaeologically little-known region are extremely promising. Thanks to this FAMSI-funded research, in addition to the sustainable development work in the region by the Cancuén Archaeological Project under the direction of Arthur A. Demarest (García, et al. 2001), local villagers are now eager to have archaeologists come work with them. In 2003, the regional Vanderbilt project will investigate the sites near the modern villages and towns of San Pablo, Santa Isabel, La Isla, El Pato, and Fray Bartolome de las Casas while continuing to identify additional sites for further investigation in the years to come. Such ongoing fieldwork will continue the research begun by the Cancuén Regional Archaeological Project–the first regional study in the Upper Pasión region, a region that until now has seen surprisingly little attention despite its crucial position as the physical boundary behind the highlands and lowlands. Future work will shed further light on important issues in Maya and Mesoamerican archaeology, including highland-lowland interaction, long distance trade, and the use and incorporation of sacred geography.

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