Richard D. Hansen
Encyclopedia
Dr. Richard D. Hansen, Ph.D, is a prominent American archaeologist and currently Senior Scientist at the Institute for Mesoamerican Research in the Department of Anthropology at Idaho State University
. Dr. Hansen is a specialist on the ancient Maya
and also a director of the Mirador Basin
Project, which investigates the mainly unexplored territory in the northern Peten , Guatemala
. Sites of special significance include the l Mirador|Mirador], Nakbe
, Tintal, Xulnal, Wakna, El Pesquero, Tamazul, Porvenir, La Florida, and 42 additional major sites within the Mirador Basin, many of which are linked by an extensive early causeway system.
Most of his achievements have been gained in the Mesoamerican region and early Maya civilization. In 1989, discoveries by Hansen and his colleagues established the idea that ancient Maya societies had centralized governments far earlier than once supposed, building several massive centers as early as 1000-800 B.C. Hansen also identified data for an extensive collapse of the Preclassic Maya about A.D. 150. The Classic Maya cultural history lasted for another 600 years, ending around A.D. 850, with the collapse of the use of ceremonial centers in what are now parts of Guatemala
, Honduras
and Mexico
.
Hansen worked as a historical consultant on the 2006 Mel Gibson
film, Apocalypto
, and has appeared in 17 film documentaries including several National Geographic specials, the Discovery Channel, CNN, CNN International, Koch Television, British Broadcasting Corp, Sixty Minutes Australia, CBS, History Channel, ABC 20/20, ABC Primetime Live, ABC Good Morning America, and the Learning Channel. His project is working to establish important investigation, conservation and community development programs in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala. He has marshalled the support of major conservation and research organizations in the U.S., such as the Global Heritage Fund, as well as the major industrial firms of Guatemala (Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage, PACUNAM; Friends of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Guatemala (APANAC), as well as the government of Guatemala.
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
. Dr. Hansen is a specialist on the ancient Maya
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
and also a director of the Mirador Basin
Mirador Basin
The Mirador Basin is a geological depression found in the remote rainforest of the northern department of Petén, Guatemala. Mirador Basin consists of two true basins, consisting of shallowly sloping terrain dominated by low-lying swamps called bajos; one draining into the San Pedro River and the...
Project, which investigates the mainly unexplored territory in the northern Peten , Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
. Sites of special significance include the l Mirador|Mirador], Nakbe
Nakbe
Nakbe is one of the largest early Maya archaeological sites, rivaled by El Mirador. Nakbe is located in the The Mirador Basin, in El Petén region of Guatemala, approximately 13 kilometers south of the Largest Maya city of El Mirador...
, Tintal, Xulnal, Wakna, El Pesquero, Tamazul, Porvenir, La Florida, and 42 additional major sites within the Mirador Basin, many of which are linked by an extensive early causeway system.
Career
Hansen graduated with a Ph.D. from UCLA as a National Graduate Fellow, a Jacob Javits Fellow, the UCLA Distinguished Scholar (1988), the Hortense Fishbaugh Memorial Scholar (1987-1988), a Fulbright Scholar (1989-1990), the UCLA Outstanding Graduate Student (1991), and the UCLA Chancellor's Marshall (1992). Hansen is founder and president of the non-profit Foundation for Anthropological Research and Environmental Studies (FARES). In December 2005 he was given the National Order of the Cultural Patrimony of Guatemala by the Guatemalan President, Oscar Berger, and in 2008 was named Environmentalist of the Year for Latin America by the Latin Trade Bravo Business award. He received the 2009 Idaho State University Achievement Award. He has published over 107 scientific papers, a book and popular articles plus another 236 professional papers in scientific conferences. He has conducted and directed archaeological research across the world, including Israel, the U.S. Great Basin, the U.S. Southwest, and Central America.Most of his achievements have been gained in the Mesoamerican region and early Maya civilization. In 1989, discoveries by Hansen and his colleagues established the idea that ancient Maya societies had centralized governments far earlier than once supposed, building several massive centers as early as 1000-800 B.C. Hansen also identified data for an extensive collapse of the Preclassic Maya about A.D. 150. The Classic Maya cultural history lasted for another 600 years, ending around A.D. 850, with the collapse of the use of ceremonial centers in what are now parts of Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Hansen worked as a historical consultant on the 2006 Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
film, Apocalypto
Apocalypto
Apocalypto is a 2006 American epic action-adventure film directed by Mel Gibson. Set in Yucatan, Mexico, during the declining period of the Maya civilization, Apocalypto depicts the journey of a Mesoamerican tribesman who must escape human sacrifice and rescue his family after the capture and...
, and has appeared in 17 film documentaries including several National Geographic specials, the Discovery Channel, CNN, CNN International, Koch Television, British Broadcasting Corp, Sixty Minutes Australia, CBS, History Channel, ABC 20/20, ABC Primetime Live, ABC Good Morning America, and the Learning Channel. His project is working to establish important investigation, conservation and community development programs in the Mirador Basin of northern Guatemala. He has marshalled the support of major conservation and research organizations in the U.S., such as the Global Heritage Fund, as well as the major industrial firms of Guatemala (Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage, PACUNAM; Friends of the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Guatemala (APANAC), as well as the government of Guatemala.