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Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Aguada Fénix cruciform pit

Digging Deeper Into Aguada Fénix, the Oldest and Largest Maya Monument in Mexico

Recent discoveries in an archaeological site in Mexico sheds new light into the beginning of the Maya civilization, and how they perceived the passage of time

Excavations at Cerro Juan Diaz in 1994

Archaeologists Study the Connections Between the Deceased Buried at Cerro Juan Díaz, Panama

Individuals recovered at the archaeological site of Cerro Juan Díaz shed more light on how the local communities buried and honored their dead

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Centering Relationships Between People and Place: A Critical Step Towards Improving Science's Contributions to Society

Marine conservation scientists advocate for a cultural shift in academia that fosters deeper connections with places of study and encourages collaboration with local communities to make science more relevant, equitable and meaningful.

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Archeologists Learn to Piece Together the Past

Archeology technician Aureliano Valencia teaches the next generation of researchers how to restore pre-Columbian ceramics at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama City, Panama

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Harnessing the Wisdom of Indigenous Communities for Marine Conservation

By engaging directly with community members and embracing indigenous knowledge in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, a NatGeo project led by a Smithsonian scientist highlights the necessity of inclusive approaches to safeguard critical marine ecosystems and culture for future generations.

El Coral beach fish trap in Saboga Island, Panama

See a New Interactive Map of Indigenous Fishing Practices Around the Pacific Rim

Dedicated to “the Ancestors who stewarded the ocean” an interactive story map created by the Pacific Sea Garden Collective reawakens traditional ways of harvesting food from the sea from Panama to Australia to the Pacific Northwest.

Pearl Islands

Unique Agates on a Panamanian Island Reveal Submarine Volcanic Activity

Giant agates found in an island on Panama's Pacific coast prompted a study on how the Isthmus evolved and became a bridge between two continents

Ana K. Spalding and 23 other women scientists from around the world, advocate for a shift in the value system in science, to emphasize a more equal, diverse and inclusive academic culture.

Women in Science Propose Changes to Discriminatory Measures of Scientific Success

The scientists advocate shifting the current value system, which is biased against women and minorities, towards a more diverse and inclusive model of science

Illustration from the graphic novel 'Martina and the Bridge of Time' by Aaron O'Dea and Ian Cooke Tapia. (Ian Cooke Tapia)

A Young Comic Book Heroine Travels Through Panama’s Deep History

'Martina and the Bridge of Time'' tells the story of the Isthmus’ formation and evolution through the adventures of a young Panamanian girl

Cranium of an individual recovered from beneath the Cathedral of Panama Viejo. (Javier Rivera Sandoval, ArtEmpire)

An 'oral' history: Archaeologists search for the origin of dental modification in Panama

A new study asks when and how the Ngäbe indigenous group began to practice dental modification

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