Conservation

The Río Azul Regional Archaeological Project (RARAP) is deeply committed to the preservation and long-term protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the northeastern Petén. Our work unfolds within one of the most biologically diverse and archaeologically significant landscapes of the Maya Lowlands, a continuous expanse of protected tropical forest that includes the Mirador–Río Azul National Park, the Naachtun–Dos Lagunas Protected Biotope, and the broader Maya Biosphere Reserve. This region is home to some of the earliest monumental centers in Mesoamerica, painted tombs, ancient water reservoirs, and extensive agricultural landscapes, all embedded within ecosystems that support jaguars, tapirs, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and countless endemic species.

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Conservation in this part of Guatemala faces mounting challenges. Expanding agricultural frontiers, illegal cattle ranching, looting, fires, wildlife trafficking, and climate-driven drought cycles threaten both the natural environment and the archaeological heritage it protects. RARAP plays an active role in confronting these pressures by generating scientific information essential for evidence-based management. Our LiDAR analyses, geological surveys, and environmental mapping help authorities identify high-risk zones, track forest loss, manage water resources, and understand the ecological dynamics shaping the region.

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RARAP’s mission extends beyond academic research. By collaborating closely with IDAEH, CONAP, park rangers, community leaders, and conservation NGOs, the project fosters a multi-institutional approach to heritage protection. This work includes training rangers in archaeological site recognition, supporting patrol operations with geospatial data, documenting damage from illegal activities, and contributing directly to planning documents and conservation strategies. Our presence in the field also strengthens the protective function of these areas by providing continuous monitoring, scientific oversight, and rapid reporting of threats.

The conservation value of the region is inseparable from its cultural importance. Ancient cities like Río Azul, Likintun, Kinal, and Kohob demonstrate centuries of adaptation to a challenging karst environment and offer valuable lessons for sustainable land use, water management, and resilience. By excavating reservoirs, agricultural features, and settlement systems, RARAP sheds light on how ancient Maya communities managed natural resources in ways that modern conservation initiatives can learn from. These findings reinforce the idea that protecting the forest also safeguards irreplaceable cultural knowledge embedded in the landscape.​​​