About
Archeologist
Christopher Powell

Christopher Powell has over twelve years experience conducting, supervising and directing archaeological excavations at the Mayan ceremonial centers of Cerros in Belizé, Copan in Honduras and Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico.  He has also conducted anthropological investigations in the Yucatan, Honduras, southern Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala.  Powell received his undergraduate training at the University of Arizona at Tucson, and his graduate training at the University of Texas at Austin under the direction of the late Dr. Linda Schele.  His Master’s thesis “A New View on Mayan Astronomy” investigated the hidden, underlying mathematical structure of Mayan astronomical calculations.  His PhD. thesis “The Shapes of Sacred Space” defines the fundamental characteristics of a sophisticated system of geometry and proportion incorporated into the design of Maya art and architecture.  An enthusiastic, engaging speaker, he has published numerous papers and presented at many academic conferences on these and other intriguing subjects. 

From 1993 to 1996 Christopher Powell supervised tunnel excavations for the University of Pennsylvania Museum’s Early Acropolis Project at Copan, where he personally excavated and documented the “founding tombs” (as seen in National Geographic Magazine, December 1997). His work on sacred geometry and the Maya was acknowledged and cited in Linda Schele and Peter Matthews’ ground-breaking book "The Code of Kings: The Language of Seven Sacred Maya Temples and Tombs" and his recent work in Palenque was explored and featured in the New York Times.

Christopher Powell’s has appeared in many television programs about the Maya including: The Discovery Channel, NOVA and The History Channel. His work on archeo-astronomy was featured in an April 2005 program about Palenque on the History Channel’s ” Lost Worlds” series.  Powell, a much sought after tour guide, has led tours of Maya sites for professors, students and world leaders --most recently Mexican president Vincenté Fox and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. 
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