In June 2014, we had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala to work with a group of archaeologists and teach them the basics of using surveying instrumentation. Our classes were held at the public Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. For several days, we provided instruction on surveying techniques, the use of robotic instrumentation to log data, and general data collection principles.
At mid-week, we traveled to the excavation site at Finca Pacaño, located in Patzicia, Chimaltenango, in the Guatemalan Highlands and about 120 miles west of Guatemala City to assist the team in practical application of their new skills at the dig site.
Linda and I worked with the team on this site for several days, providing instruction in instrument setup, traversing, and topographic and feature collection practices. At weeks end, we returned to our location in Antigua where we provided further classroom instruction on downloading the accumulated data from the data collector, the basics of file management, basic CAD mapping commands, and creating surface models of their work.
Streets of Antigua
Balcony View
Finca Pacaño
Our Living Room
Pedestal Sculpture
Pottery Shard
Classroom Instruction
Dr. Robinson with Pedestal Sculpture
Field Instruction
Data Collection
Team Photo
COGO Instruction
A more comprehensive article chronicling this unique travel / teaching experience was published in Point of Beginning, a national surveying journal, in October 2014. A copy of the article can be viewed here.
Alfred W. DiOrio, RLS, Inc.
Professional Land Surveyors and Land Use Consultants
P.O. Box 999
Ashaway, Rhode Island 02804-0009
(401) 377-8124