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Q&A: Get to Know Associate Professor of Geography Dr. E. Cory Sills

Associate professor of geography Dr. E. Cory Sills conducts research in Maya archaeology, serving as co-director of the Underwater Maya Project and director of the Placencia Lagoon Salt Works Archaeological Project. Her current research is supported by a three-year National Science Foundation Grant and a grant from the Archaeological Institute of America. In the following question and answer segment, learn more about Sills, her research and why she enjoys working at the University.

Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself? 

I am a trained archaeologist who has integrated geography to study the ancient Maya civilization. I arrived at UT Tyler in the fall of 2013. I teach a wide variety of geography classes as well as having the opportunity to co-teach the course, World Text and Image for two years within the UT Tyler Honors Program.  

My areas of research expertise include human-environment interactions of the ancient Maya, ancient economies including salt production, ancient Maya wooden architecture, sea-level changes, 3D imaging, marine sediment analysis, remote sensing and GIS (geographic information systems). 

Why did you go into social sciences? Any interesting story there?  

I credit taking a diverse set of classes in college as the reason I decided to major in anthropology. Originally, I thought I would major in biology as an undergraduate until I took my first cultural anthropology course. I enjoyed every aspect of anthropology, from learning about our primate ancestors, to archaeology, to different cultures and languages. I was introduced to geography when I was working on a master’s degree. I realized that combining the two fields allowed me to answer questions about how the ancient Maya changed their environment and were integrated into the Classic Maya economy.

How did you enter academia? 

After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked with a cultural resource management firm in Austin and then Dallas, as an archaeology field technician. This position allowed me to develop methodological skills and gain the knowledge to specialize in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies and those who receive federal funds to identify/assess effects on historic structures and archaeological properties. 

During my graduate studies for an M.A., I worked for the Division of Archaeology for the State of Louisiana. The two positions above provided me with experience in local, state and federal archaeology. 

In my first year in the M.A. program at Louisiana State University, I had the privilege to participate in the Underwater Maya Archaeology project in Belize. I was hooked. I was offered an assistantship to fund my Ph.D. in geography, where I continued fieldwork in Belize for my M.A. and then my Ph.D. fieldwork. I became increasingly enthusiastic about developing research that focused not only on the grandeur of the Late Classic Maya at large urban centers, but also on the common Maya who were producing salt to trade to the urban centers.

Why do you enjoy teaching at UT Tyler?  

The students! I really enjoy teaching at UT Tyler especially when research informs my teaching. I have developed a student-centered curricula that emulates how archaeologists and geographers address research questions. Additionally, students are the best gauge to determine if a teaching technique is working. I learn quite a lot about teaching from students’ responses to assignments and discussions. 

What is your current research all about? 

I have an active research agenda with on-going field research on the coast of Belize. Currently, I am co-PI on the Underwater Maya Project in Belize with Dr. Heather McKillop at LSU. We were recently awarded a collaborative linked  three-year National Science Foundation Grant from the Archaeology Program entitled, “Labor Organization in a Traditional Complex Society.” Unfortunately, due to the spread of the coronavirus, our field research, as well as may others, has been put on hold. We have readjusted to focusing on our lab work instead. 

The Underwater Maya research focuses on the Paynes Creek Salt Works which were part of a massive Classic Maya salt industry. These salt works are located underwater in a saltwater lagoon and were occupied 1,500 to 1,000 years ago. Rising seas inundated the sites after they were abandoned and remarkably preserved wooden posts (approximately 4,000 mapped so far) in a peat bog. The posts form the outlines of buildings and ancillary structures as well as large pieces of pottery. The majority of the pottery is briquetage—the pieces of pottery left over from salty water evaporated over fires—with minor amounts of pottery associated with trade. 

Current research examines what factors make small enterprises successful, including the organization and composition of labor and the identification of markets, as well as factors that contribute to failure. This project incorporates archaeological methods with GIS and 3D imaging, as well analysis of the marine sediment and preserved wooden structures to evaluate the timing and impact of sea-level rise on the Classic Maya at the salt works. 

I am also project director of the Placencia Lagoon Salt Works Archaeological Project. I was recently awarded a grant from the Archaeological Institute of America to continue research at these sites. This project compares the organization of salt production at the Placencia Lagoon Salt Works with the Paynes Creek Salt Works. Only two of the Paynes Creek Salt Works have earthen mounds, since the other salt works were submerged by sea-level rise and any earthen mounds would have been deflated by wave action. However, they are plentiful at the Placencia Lagoon Salt Works. 

Why is this research important? 

Our current research is important to understanding economies around the world including the United States, which includes both large corporations, as well as small businesses, including family-run enterprises.

One of the more important aspects of research is training students in methods and technology. Participating in the research trains undergraduate and graduate students who learn skills in research methods, 3D technology, GIS, conservation, sediment chemistry and sediment analysis, as well as archaeological field and lab techniques. This trains students involved in the project for a variety of possible careers.  

Any interesting stats/facts pertaining to the research that you'd like to share with readers?  

The Paynes Creek Salt Works have the only known ancient Maya wooden architecture anywhere in the Maya area.  

The first ever recovered ancient Maya canoe paddle was found in Paynes Creek National Park!  

What advice do you have for students interested in your field of study?  

There are many careers out there for archaeologists and geographers, including archaeological field technicians and GIS analysists, to just name two. If you are interested in careers in anthropology or geography, send me an email, talk to your adviser, or visit the National Society websites.

Anything else you'd like to add? 

For more information and research updates, check out these pages: 

UT Tyler Department of Social Sciences

Underwater Maya Project

Project Facebook Group

#CAS