Jon Spenard

Jon Spenard, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Anthropology Department at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). He specializes in Mesoamerican archaeology, focusing on Maya ritual practices, landscape archaeology, and digital technologies in excavation. His work integrates field research with advanced methodologies like 3D modeling and GIS.

Education:

• M.A. in Anthropology, Florida State University (2006)
• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of California, Riverside (2014)

Research Interests: Dr. Spenard studies the intersection of religion, memory, and identity in Maya communities through cave and rock shelter rituals. His current project, the Rio Frio Regional Archaeological Project (RiFRAP), explores the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in Belize, emphasizing unrecorded sites and digital preservation. He actively involves CSUSM students in fieldwork.

Professional Experience: Includes contract archaeology across the U.S., National Park Service collaborations, and Andean state societies research. His work bridges academic research with public outreach through YouTube channels and virtual site tours.

Labs/Teams: Leads the RiFRAP team, collaborating with international institutions to document Belize’s archaeological heritage using cutting-edge technologies.