And there shall be memorials mighty of their handiworks upon the earth, leaving dim traces when the cycles are renewed".
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[The Sacred Sermon of Hermes, 2nd Century BC]
Welcome to the official page of the ARX Project.
We are a group of researchers from different academic fields and nationalities, linked by a common passion for the ancient world and by the belief in the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the interpretation of ancient sites.
We conduct and sponsor expeditions globally, combining the latest technologies with a rigorous scientific method.
ABOUT US
The ARX Project was launched in 2020 with the goal to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the ancient past. We work in partnership with governmental and non-governmental institutions to advance our knowledge of human history and the origins of civilization.
Our expeditions are conducted in the utmost respect of local regulations and cultural sensitivities, combining on-the-ground exploration with the use of non-invasive exploration and investigation techniques like LiDAR, satellite imagery and ground penetrating radar.
PROJECTS
Each one of our projects is aimed at understanding different aspects of the complex cultural influences and interactions that shaped the evolution of ancient human societies, with a particular focus on the question of the origins of civilization.
We constantly welcome new Team members to join in and collaborate on our projects and expeditions. Please, send us your CV or a short personal profile and we will be in touch.
Mesoamerican Origins
The question of the origin of Mesoamerican civilization is one that has intrigued generations of archaeologists, culture historians and anthropologists. The Olmecs, which flourished between 2,500 and 400 BC, have been long considered the earliest major civilization of Mesoamerica, expressing one of the first widespread artistic and cultural traditions in parts of what is today Mexico and Guatemala.
Since the early 1990’s, however, a new hypothesis has emerged that Mesoamerican civilization did not arise in isolation, but as part of a complex network of regional trade interactions that favored cultural exchange and the diffusion of similar artistic styles as well as pottery, stone and metalworking techniques across a wide area between western Mexico, Central and South America.
These contacts certainly took advantage of the extensive river network of ancient Mexico and Guatemala, particularly along the Balsas and Usumacinta rivers, where some of the earliest centers of Mesoamerican civilization outside of the Gulf coast of Mexico may be found.
By taking a Pan-American view of the development of civilization in the Americas, our mission is to document the complex mosaic of cultural influences that shaped the formative and classic period of Mesoamerican civilization.
Our methods combine traditional exploration with the use of the latest technologies in aerial and satellite imaging to help unravel the great puzzle of Mesoamerican origins, mapping and documenting the trade corridors and original centers of civilization of the Americas.
Lost cities of the Mexican highlands
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MISSION AND VISION
Why do certain civilizations succeed while others fail? What are the driving forces behind the rise of civilization and organized societies?
Our mission is to uncover the deep foundations that underlie the rise and fall of civilization in different parts of the world using a multidisciplinary approach drawing from such diverse fields as archaeology, geology, geophysics, astronomy, history, climatology and comparative mythology.
We believe in the potential of new technologies such as remote sensing, geophysical methods, chemical and genetic analysis to deepen our understanding of the remote past, for which we provide external support and funding.
We have a vision for the ARX Project to become a recognized force in the search for the origins of civilization through field research, publications, conferences and documentaries, and welcome both recognized scholars and independent researchers.
THE TEAM
Our Team consists of experts from different disciplines including archaeologists, geophysicists, speleologists, architects, engineers, photographers and digital artists.
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Marco M. Vigato
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Founder
Born in Italy and living in Mexico City, Marco has studied at Harvard and Milan’s Bocconi University. He has been researching ancient civilizations as an independent researcher for the past 15 years. He is an expert on ancient Mesoamerica, as well as a regular contributor to the Ancient Origins online magazine and to various other print and on-line journals and podcasts. He is also the author of the book The Lost Cradle with Inner Traditions.
Ludovic Celle
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Co-Founder
Born in France and living in Oaxaca, Ludovic holds a degree in architecture from the Grenoble School of Architecture. He has been an illustrator specialized in architecture for 12 years, since 2017 with a focus on Precolumbian visualization and iconographic investigation. His detailed 3D reconstruction of the postclassic Zapotec city of Mitla has won him praise in the archaeological field. His central investigation is the wide world of stepped-fret designs throughout the American continent.
ARTICLES AND NEWS
In this section we will be publishing updates from our projects and important news relevant to our fields of study.
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