Throughout human history, civilizations have had to adapt to ever-shifting environments in order to survive—whether sudden, catastrophic climate events, or gradual changes that span centuries. These human-environmental relationships are at the center of The Maya and Climate Change (Oxford University Press, Nov. 2022), a new book by CSUDH Assistant Professor of Anthropology Ken Seligson. Since 2010, Seligson has worked on archaeological excavations and mapping in the northern Maya lowlands of Yucatán, Mexico. He wanted to research and write a book shifting the focus away from the oft-cited “collapse” of the Classic Maya civilization, and instead toward their centuries of socioecological ... Read More
maya
Student Podcast Brings Ancient Maya to Life
What’s the best way to make an ancient civilization accessible to a wide audience? Ask Jackeline and Lesli Hernandez, and they will tell you that podcasting is the key. The two sisters, who both graduated from CSUDH in May with degrees in anthropology, started the podcast “Uncovering the Ancient Maya” in Spring 2022 to provide accurate, historical insights about the Maya to the general public. “Podcasting is how people now get information,” Lesli said. “Maya culture is hard to explain. We hear so many misconceptions about the Maya community, and we wanted people to be more informed.” The Hernandez sisters credit Assistant Professor of Anthropology Ken Seligson for helping them ... Read More
Seligson, Ken
Ken Seligson, Ph.D. Title: Assistant Professor Department: Anthropology Areas of Expertise Archaeology and anthropology, the Ancient Maya, human-environment relationships, Mesoamerica, ancient civilizations Professional Background Seligson is an archaeologist who has conducted fieldwork in Mexico, Honduras, and Spain. He specializes in human-environment relationships, conservation, and technology in the Maya lowlands of eastern Mexico. His forthcoming book, The Maya Marvel: Climate Change and Human-Environment Relationships in the Classic Maya Lowlands (2022) will be published by Oxford University Press. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation. He has ... Read More
