Free 2026 Gordon R. Willey Series Hybrid Lecture: Ancient Cities of Guatemala’s Pacific Coast

Thu Apr 02 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm UTC-04:00

Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 | Cambridge

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Publisher/HostPeabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Free 2026 Gordon R. Willey Series Hybrid Lecture: Ancient Cities of Guatemala\u2019s Pacific Coast
Advertisement
Speakers:
Philip J. Deloria, Leverett Saltonstall Professor of History, Harvard University
Oswaldo Chinchilla Mazariegos, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Yale University
On Guatemala’s western Pacific coast, the region of Escuintla is home to many ancient cities, and for thousands of years it has been an important crossroads, drawing traders, migrants, and invaders. In this lecture, archaeologist Oswaldo Chinchilla Mazariegos will present discoveries from three decades of research at the Classic-period cities of Montana and Cotzumalhuapa (250–900 C.E.), highlighting how people moved, interacted, and recorded their histories along the Pacific coast. The discovery of causeways, or raised roads, has revealed the size and organization of these cities, while refined dating methods have allowed researchers to trace their connections to other urban centers across Mesoamerica.
Close study of Cotzumalhuapa’s monumental sculptures has further illuminated these networks through new readings of their intricate reliefs and hieroglyphic texts. Join us to explore how archaeology is reshaping our understanding of Guatemala’s Pacific coast and its place in Mesoamerican history.
Advance registration recommended for online and in-person attendance:
https://hmsc.harvard.edu/calendar_event/ancient-cities-of-guatemalas-pacific-coast
Free admission. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage starting at 5:00 pm. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Cambridge

Die Krupps - 45th Anniversary Tour
Wed, 01 Apr at 06:00 pm Die Krupps - 45th Anniversary Tour

Middle East - Downstairs

Nothing
Wed, 01 Apr at 07:00 pm Nothing

The Sinclair Music Hall

Nick Lutsko
Wed, 01 Apr at 07:00 pm Nick Lutsko

Sonia

Riss Neilson Release Bash for The Bridge Back to You
Wed, 01 Apr at 07:00 pm Riss Neilson Release Bash for The Bridge Back to You

Lovestruck Books & Cafe

The Ooze
Wed, 01 Apr at 09:00 pm The Ooze

Middle East - Zuzu

GaruPoweR!! w\/ AniParty (DJ Pleasant & DJ Signal\u0394)
Thu, 02 Apr at 06:30 pm GaruPoweR!! w/ AniParty (DJ Pleasant & DJ SignalΔ)

Middle East - Upstairs

Nick Lutsko
Thu, 02 Apr at 06:30 pm Nick Lutsko

Sonia

1tbsp
Thu, 02 Apr at 07:00 pm 1tbsp

The Sinclair Music Hall

Starside Book Launch with Alex Aster
Thu, 02 Apr at 07:00 pm Starside Book Launch with Alex Aster

The First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist

Jared Sims and the Catalyst at The Mad Monkfish
Thu, 02 Apr at 07:00 pm Jared Sims and the Catalyst at The Mad Monkfish

The Mad Monkfish

Nothing, Full Body 2, Cryogeyser in Cambridge
Thu, 02 Apr at 08:00 pm Nothing, Full Body 2, Cryogeyser in Cambridge

The Sinclair

Cambridge is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Cambridge Events