The focus of the trip was ancient Maya astronomy and mathematics, and their relationship to architecture and calendrics.

Based in the beautiful Classic Maya city of Palenque, we also journeyed down the Usumacinta River to remote Yaxchilan, saw the famous murals of Bonampak, the rarely visited ruins of Lancanha, and stayed overnight in a Lacandon Maya village.

We also visited museums, ate traditional Maya foods, and had a herbal sweat bath with plants we gathered on a walk with ethnobotanist Alonso Mendez

 
Bonampak mural panel, blood-letting scene 

 
Plaenque: The magnificent staircase of the
Temple of the Cross, taken from the top of
the Temple of the Foliated Cross. The
unique square 4-story tower of the Palace
group rises in the background. 

 
Karen Croyle - Pitt Bradford class of 1988 

 
On the trail to Lacanha, in the rainforests of Chiapas.