Anabel Ford

Dr. Anabel Ford is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Director of the Meso American Research Center (MARC). Her research focuses on the ancient Maya civilization and the tropical forest ecosystems of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. She leads the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve project, emphasizing sustainable land use practices and conservation of cultural heritage within natural environments. Dr. Ford’s work integrates archaeological field methods with cutting-edge technologies like LiDAR and GIS to study settlement patterns, ancient agricultural systems (e.g., the milpa cycle), and environmental resilience.

Her research explores how the Maya managed forests through agroforestry practices that maintained biodiversity while supporting dense populations. She advocates for adaptive management strategies informed by historical ecology to address modern environmental challenges. Key methodologies include artifact analysis (ceramics, lithics), spatial modeling, and community-based heritage preservation. Dr. Ford collaborates internationally to promote interdisciplinary approaches linking archaeology with ecology, anthropology, and sustainable development.

Dr. Ford’s affiliations include:

• Director, Meso American Research Center (MARC)
• Adjunct Professor, UC Santa Barbara
• Lead researcher for El Pilar Archaeological Reserve

Her work bridges academic research with practical applications, fostering dialogue between archaeologists, environmental scientists, and local communities to ensure the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.