Peter Mathews (archaeologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Mathews
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| Born | June 12, 1951 Canberra, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Archaeologist, Epigrapher, Mayanist |
Peter Mathews was born in Canberra, Australia, on June 12, 1951. He is an Australian expert who studies ancient cultures. He is an archaeologist, an epigrapher, and a Mayanist.
An archaeologist studies old objects and places to learn about the past. An epigrapher studies ancient writings, like hieroglyphs. A Mayanist is someone who studies the ancient Maya civilization.
Contents
Peter Mathews's Early Life and Education
Peter Mathews studied at the University of Calgary. He earned his first degree there in 1975. Later, he went to Yale University. At Yale, he earned his MPhil and PhD degrees. While he was studying at Yale, he received a special award called the MacArthur Fellowship. He was only 33 years old at the time.
Peter Mathews's Career and Discoveries
Peter Mathews taught at several well-known universities. He was a professor at the University of Calgary. He also taught at Harvard University from 1979 to 1986. Later, he became a professor at La Trobe University. There, he taught about archaeology and Maya hieroglyphs. He retired from La Trobe University at the end of 2011. He continued to give lectures there until 2013.
He also helps lead the Naachtun Archaeology Project. This project explores ancient Maya sites.
In the 1960s, Peter Mathews looked at ancient objects. He thought they came from a mysterious place he called "Site Q." Some experts now believe "Site Q" might be the ancient city of La Corona.
In 1973, he was invited to a very important meeting. It was the first "Mesa Redonda" (Round Table) conference in Palenque. This meeting brought together top experts on the Maya.
In 1997, Peter Mathews and some Mexican colleagues were exploring near the Maya site of El Cayo. They faced a difficult situation but were safely released.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Mathews has received important awards for his work.
- 1984 MacArthur Fellows Program: This award is given to talented people in many fields.
- 2002 Fellow of the Academy of the Humanities in Australia: This means he is recognized as a leading expert in the humanities in Australia.
Publications and Research
Peter Mathews has contributed to important works about the Maya.
- "MAYA HIEROGLYPH DICTIONARY": This is a dictionary of Maya hieroglyphs. It helps people understand the ancient Maya writing system. It is available through FAMSI, a group that supports research on ancient Mesoamerica.
- Handbook to life in the ancient Maya world: He co-wrote this book with Lynn V. Foster. It is a guide to understanding what life was like for the ancient Maya people.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Mathews para niños
