Francisco Estrada-Belli

Francisco Estrada-Belli is a Research Professor at the Middle American Research Institute (MARI) at Tulane University, part of The Stone Center for Latin American Studies. He specializes in Mayan archaeology and has been a core faculty member since 2015. His work focuses on integrating lidar technology, epigraphy, and archaeological field methods to study Classic and Preclassic Maya urbanism, political dynamics, and environmental interactions.

Education: Ph.D. in Anthropology from Boston University (1998) and B.A. in Archaeology and Anthropology from Università di Roma (1991). His research includes extensive fieldwork at Holmul and Chochkitam in Guatemala, where he has led projects on architectural documentation, conservation, and excavation. He co-founded the Maya Archaeology Initiative in 2010.

Research interests span Maya political systems, warfare, urban planning, and the impact of neoliberal policies on heritage tourism. His 2022 Tulane Research Award recognized his pioneering use of lidar to map Maya landscapes. Recent publications explore the rise of the Kaanu’l kingdom, lidar-driven discoveries of ancient settlements, and the socio-political context of Classic Maya dynasties.

• Awards: 2022 Tulane Research, Scholarship, & Artistic Achievement Award
• Grants: Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (2007–2008), NSF-funded paleoenvironmental studies
• Labs/Teams: Director of Holmul Archaeological Project, co-leader of Maya Archaeology Initiative

His work bridges academic and applied archaeology, advocating for ethical practices in cultural preservation and community engagement in Guatemala.