Alfonso Lacadena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfonso Lacadena
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Lacadena in 2017
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| Born | 21 August 1964 |
| Died | 9 February 2018 (aged 53) Madrid, Spain
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| Alma mater | Complutense University of Madrid |
| Known for | Mayan and Aztec epigraphy |
| Awards | Tatiana Proskouriakoff Prize (Harvard University) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mesoamerican cultures |
| Institutions | Complutense University of Madrid |
Alfonso Lacadena García-Gallo (born August 21, 1964 – died February 9, 2018) was a Spanish expert. He was an archaeologist, historian, and an epigraphist. An epigraphist is someone who studies and deciphers ancient writings.
Alfonso Lacadena was one of the top experts on the ancient Mayan culture. He spent his life researching and figuring out the meaning of their old texts. He also taught at the Complutense University of Madrid in Spain.
Contents
About Alfonso Lacadena
Alfonso Lacadena was born in Zaragoza, Spain. He became a specialist in the written records of ancient cultures in Mesoamerica. This area includes parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America.
He studied the Mayan language and the writing system of the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztec people. He wrote many books and papers about these topics.
His Studies and Awards
Alfonso Lacadena earned a special degree called a Doctor in History. He even won an "Extraordinary Doctorate Award" for his amazing work on Mayan handwriting. This award was given by the Complutense University.
Later, in 2011, he received the Tatiana Proskouriakoff Prize from Harvard University. He earned this prize for his important work in deciphering, or figuring out, Mayan and Nahuatl writing.
Discovering Ancient Writings
Lacadena worked with the Ch'orti' ethnic group. This is an indigenous group in eastern Guatemala, close to Honduras. He helped dig up ancient ruins at a place called Matxakila in the Petén jungle.
He also studied ancient picture-based writings, called hieroglyphic texts, at Ek Balam. This site is about 50 kilometers from Chichén Itzá, another famous Mayan city.
Teaching and Recognition
Alfonso Lacadena also taught many classes on epigraphy. These classes helped students learn how to read and understand ancient writings. He taught at several universities, including the Autonomous University of Madrid and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
He wrote two of his own books and helped write seven others. He also published five articles. In 2017, a special meeting about writing systems honored him for his work.
Alfonso Lacadena was married and had two children. He passed away from cancer in 2018 when he was 53 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso Lacadena para niños
