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Mario R. Borrero, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Anthropology


Areas of expertise:

  • Archaeology of the ancient Americas
  • Maya archaeology
  • Political decentralization
  • Collapse, & frontier zones
  • Lithic analysis
  • Digital Archaeology
  • Geographic information systems (GIS)
  • Public archaeology & cultural resource management (CRM)

Education:

  • Ph.D., Anthropology, University of California San Diego, 2024
  • M.A., Public Archaeology, California State University, Northridge, 2014
  • B.A., Anthropology, University of California, Riverside, 2011

About Dr. Mario R. Borrero

I am an anthropological archaeologist specializing in the Ancient Americas, with a focus on Maya archaeology, political decentralization, collapse, and frontier dynamics. My research integrates digital tools such as GIS, 3D modeling, photogrammetry, and artificial intelligence to explore past settlements and heritage. I have experience in cultural resource management and community-engaged archaeology. I am committed to inclusive teaching that connects students with hands-on, real-world learning. My current work examines sociopolitical change in southern Belize through fieldwork, digital heritage, and collaborative research with local communities.


Selected publications

  • Luke Stroth, Brian Holland, Mario Borrero, and Geoffrey E. Braswell, "The Red Bank Formation as a local source for Belize Red pottery.” , 2025
  • Mario Borrero, Luke Stroth, and Geoffrey E. Braswell, "The Classic Period Maya Figurines of the Southern Belize Region: A Comparison of Nim li Punit, Pusilha and Lubaantun.” ., 2023
  • Mario Borrero and Luke Stroth, "A Proposal for the Standardized Reporting of Error and Paradata Regarding Structure from Motion (SfM) 3D Models Used in Recording and Consolidating Archaeological Architecture."  , 2020