Heather McKillop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heather McKillop
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| Born |
Heather Irene McKillop
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| Education | Trent University (B.S. 1977, M.A. 1980) University of California, Santa Barbara (Ph.D. 1987) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Maya archaeology |
| Institutions | Louisiana State University |
Heather Irene McKillop is a Canadian-American archaeologist. An archaeologist is someone who studies human history. They do this by digging up old things. Dr. McKillop is also a Maya scholar. This means she is an expert on the ancient Maya people. She is well-known for her research on Maya trade routes along the coast. She also studies how the Maya traveled by sea. Her work helps us understand how goods were exchanged long ago in Mesoamerica.
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Learning About the Past
Heather McKillop studied Anthropology. This is the study of human societies and cultures. She earned her first two degrees from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Later, she got her Ph.D. from the University of California in Santa Barbara, California.
Exploring Ancient Maya Sites
Since 1979, Heather McKillop has worked in Belize. She explores the coast, small islands, and underwater areas. Her work helps us learn about the ancient Maya.
Discovering Underwater Treasures
In 2004, something amazing was found. Ancient Maya wooden buildings were discovered. A wooden canoe paddle was also found. These were preserved in a peat bog under the sea. Since then, Dr. McKillop and her team have focused on these finds. They map and dig up these waterlogged remains. Her team includes students and colleagues from Louisiana State University (LSU). These sites are called the Paynes Creek Salt Works.
The DIVA Lab
Dr. McKillop started the DIVA Lab in 2008. DIVA stands for Digital Imaging and Visualization in Archaeology. In this lab, her team makes 3D digital images. They scan the waterlogged wood, pottery, and other items. This helps them study the ancient Maya artifacts.
Teaching and Research
As of 2016, Dr. McKillop is a professor at LSU. She holds the title of Thomas and Lillian Landrum Alumni Professor. She is also the William G. Haag Professor of Archaeology at LSU. This university is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
