Dr. Simon Martin

Biography

Simon Martin is a political anthropologist specializing in Maya hieroglyphic writing, with a specific focus on the history, politics, and religious beliefs of the Classic Period (150-900 CE). His core research centers on the social and political organization of the Maya lowlands, reconstructing the network of hegemonic ties among polities. During the 2019-2020 academic year, he served as the Jay Kislak Chair of History and Cultures of the Early Americas at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. In 2020, he published 'Ancient Maya Politics: Political Anthropology of the Classic Period 150-900 CE' with Cambridge University Press, which won multiple awards, including the top R.R. Hawkins Award. He has co-authored the book 'Chronicle of Maya Kings and Queens,' which has been translated into five languages, and co-developed the exhibition 'Courtly Art of the Ancient Maya' at the National Gallery of Art. Martin's collaborative research on the political network at Calakmul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Mexico, has been featured in major media such as Science, Scientific American, and National Geographic. He is also known for his television appearances, including 'Cracking the Maya Code' on NOVA/PBS. As an Associate Curator and Keeper at the Penn Museum, he has curated several exhibitions and taught a variety of courses within the Department of Anthropology, including 'The Ancient Maya: Integrating Material, Text, Image.'

Research Interests

Experience