Since 1992, with the permission of the Department of Archaeology, Government of Belize, the PfBAP has conducted original research concerning ancient Maya civilization
The project area of the PfBAP is in northwestern Belize on land owned by the Programme for Belize, a Belizean controlled non-profit organization established in 1988
PfBAP research focuses on the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, a nature reserve that is over 250,000 acres in size
The PfBAP research area contains over 50 ancient Maya settlements
The research area is home to a great variety of neotropical wildlife, including many birds, cats, and monkeys
Researchers at PfBAP have authored many research reports and several dissertations and theses have been produced.
The field school program involves survey, excavation at several Maya sites, and laboratory experience working directly with excavated Maya artifacts. Field techniques, lectures on Maya culture history and instruction concerning artifact analysis are provided during each session.
The PfBAP offers archaeological fieldwork opportunities for volunteers of any age and experience level as well as opportunities for students to earn college credit.
During the Spring of 2001, the PfBAP initiated a Volunteer Program. The Volunteer Program incorporates interested parties into the PfBAP research program.
Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one week and may stay with the project for up to 3 weeks during the field season. Longer stays may be available. Volunteers may participate in our "academic credit" sessions (see below), as payment of tuition and enrolment for credit are optional.
Costs
volunteer program fees are:
1 week = US$720
2 weeks = US$1120
3 weeks = US$1460
Each Additional week = US$300
fee includes room and board and project-related travel while in Belize
fee does not include travel to and from Belize
fee does not include an optional trips to Guatemala or the Belizean Cayes (if available). Refer to Travel in and Around Belize for details on these trips.
longer stays may be available for US$300 for each additional week after 3 weeks
Dates
Arrival is usually scheduled for a Sunday and departure is scheduled for a Saturday. Contact us for details.
volunteers may also participate in our summer session. Summer registration for academic credit is not required.
Academic credit may be obtained from the University of Texas at Austin, or your home institution.
Summer Session(s) 2010
Generally, students earn 6 - 9 credit hours during a summer session. Enrolment for credit and payment of UT tuition, however, is optional. Non-student volunteers are welcome to attend.
The courses that are scheduled for university credit are
Archaeological Field Techniques, 6 hours
Conference Course in Anthropology, 3 hours
Costs
Project fees are estimated to be US$1,735
or $2,935 for both summer sessions
fee includes room and board and project related travel within Belize
fee does not include roundtrip airfare to Belize
fee does not include tuition and fees payable to the University of Texas at Austin
payment of tuition and enrolment for credit are optional
fee does not include optional travel to Guatemala and/or the Belizean Cayes at the end of each session. See Travel in and Around Belize for details
Deadlines for Non-Texas Residents
March 1st: non-texas residents need to apply by March 1st, if you wish to be considered for financial aid consideration from CGEO (UT study abroad department).
March 15th: non-texas residents need to apply by March 15th, if you intend to enroll for tuiton credit at the University of Texas at Austin (If you enroll for tuition at your own university, then this does not apply).
Funding Oppurtunities
CGEO has an IEFS scholarship application due on March 1st, see their website for more details.
CGEO also has a listing of other funding oppurtunities: http://www.utexas.edu/student/abroad/funding/ut_scholarships.html
PfBAP, in cooperation with master potter Clint Swink, offers a unique pottery workshop focusing on research through replication of Lowland Maya pottery using ancient techniques.
One 9-day session was available in the spring of 2003.
For more information on this workshop, including fees and application forms, visit Clint Swink's Web site
PfBAP is directed by Dr. Fred Valdez of the 
Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one week and may stay with the project for up to 3 weeks during the field season. Longer stays may be available. Volunteers may participate in our "academic credit" sessions (see below), as payment of tuition and enrolment for credit are optional.
The courses that are scheduled for university credit are
Where is Belize? A