Caitlin Earley

Caitlin Earley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on ancient Maya sculpture and the intersection of art, identity, and ritual in Mesoamerica. She holds a PhD, MA, and BA in Art History and English from the University of Texas at Austin (2015) and Williams College (2003). Earley’s work explores themes such as the agency of stone sculptures, representation of the human body, and the socio-political roles of art in ancient societies.

Her major publications include The Comitán Valley: Sculpture and Identity on the Maya Frontier (2023), analyzing sculpture in Chiapas, Mexico, and articles on Classic Veracruz ritual practices and Chinkultic dynasty monuments. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize, supported by fellowships from Dumbarton Oaks and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. Earley has taught at Georgetown University, Colorado College, and the University of Nevada, Reno, and contributes to public scholarship through essays for platforms like Smarthistory.

Her research interests extend to cave sites in Guatemala, the history of artifact collection, and museum studies. Current projects include examining captive motifs in Maya art and the role of stone sculptures in maintaining social order.

• Awards: Fellowships at Dumbarton Oaks and the Met, grants from NEH and ACLS
• Grants: Supported by APS, NEH, and ACLS