How does one do an amateur archaeological dig on his own property? I am in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico.?

Question

I'm told that my house sits on the former site of a Mayan structure. My house is NOT designated historic, but the setting of the house on a raised limestone outcropping near the center of town and the fact that Valladolid has been settled by the Mayas for many years prior to the coming of the Spanish colonialists leads me to believe this might be the case. Other than just digging and screening, somewhat at random, various pockets of dirt, is there any way to determine if there was another structure under my present house? To further complicate this question, is there any easy way to determine if various large "holes" in the limestone are just "holes" or if they lead to caves, caverns, cenotes? The holes are too small for me to enter, but someone smaller and braver might be able to. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Well i wouldn't try on your self, i would invite an university to to explore your land, they should do a systematic survey of the area folowed by scientific analysis of the data to aid in the location of any excavations if required. they should work with you and any volunteers but allow them to take charge and write the report as they have the required experience.

I don't mean to be insulting but ive beenin many situations in the UK where ameteur groups have acidently lost vast amounts of data through their misplaced enthusiasm.

If anyone does do any work and they need a mapping specialist i do free lance and i am based in the uk but I would love to travel. I am possibly doing some work in Pompei next july (dependant on funding!).

Gary

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Answer 2

If I were you I would email various archaeology programs to see what those professors think.  Archaeology is about gathering data very carefully and you might destroy a lot of important info in trying to determine a structure underneath.

Answer 3

There are various courses and procedures to take and follow for the amateur before they haphazardly dig everything up and possibly ruin valuable information.

You might want to start at:  http://www.shovelbums.org

Answer 4

All digs destroy evidence, which is why it needs to be done in a professional and academic fashion.  This way everything is systematically and methodically recorded.  And, modern archaeologists try to leave parts of sites undug, so that future generations with better methods will be able to unearth more evidence to compare.  It isn't just what is found, it's where it's found, spatially, so a grid, notes, drawings, maps, etc . . . are imperative.

Anyway, contact universities with anthropology programs.  There are many archaeologists, I'm sure you can find some to come out and dig your place up.

Answer 5

All archaeological findings in Mexico are national property and it would be impounded by law, I suggest you call INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia), it is against the law to keep any prehispanic items...