Ground-Penetrating Radar as an Emerging Remote Sensing Technology for Maya Archaeology: Methods, Prospects, and Context from the Formative Period in Yaxuná, Yucatán, Mexico

Abstract Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a vital tool in archaeology, facilitating the planning of excavations while minimizing their impact. However, its application in the Northern Maya Lowlands of Yucatán, Mexico, has historically encountered limited application due to the region’s distinctive geological conditions and issues related to technological precision. The region’s limestone substrates can interfere with GPR signals, complicating the differentiation between cultural features, natural formations, and radar anomalies. Nevertheless, advancements in GPR technology over the past two decades have mitigated these challenges. This article offers a case study from Yaxuná, Yucatán, concentrating on the Central Plaza during the Middle and Late Formative period (600 BC–AD 200). By integrating GPR data with documented stratigraphic features and site insights, the study successfully identified cultural elements, directed excavation efforts, and revealed previously unexamined structures, thereby enhancing planning efficiency. These findings underscore the potential of GPR to reduce excavation-related damage, thereby assisting archaeologists in better uncovering and preserving cultural heritage.