The 2025 field season has proven to be very wet with rain disrupting things every other day during the end of January. However, this means that camp is well stocked with drinking water.

The field season got under way on January 15, 2025, when five men (Abner, Carlos, Florencio, Jaime, Saul) were brought back to re-establish camp and make sure that it was ready for the season. Three ladies (Suzy, Lillie, Lizzemy) came back to run the kitchen and laundry on January 16. Arlen arrived in Belize on Sunday, January 19. After picking up the excavation permit in Belmopan on the 20^th, there was a trip to Caracol to see what was needed and to make sure that the correct residential groups were being bushed. These items were brought into site on the 21^st and then more items went in on the 22^nd. On the 24^th, staff (Maureen, Gabriela, and Hannah) arrived in Belize at the airport and were brought into Caracol. Two days later, more staff (Cameron, Egor, Nathan, Ruth, Ryaan) arrived and went into Caracol for the field season. On the 28^th, Rumari Ku joined the project from the IOA and staffing was complete except for four additional men who will come in during early February. Diane visited the site from January 31 through February 3.

Formal excavation started on Wednesday January 29^th in two residential groups. Both are located southeast of the field camp – immediately west of the Conchita Causeway and south of the Mono and Ultimo Residential groups. There are actually three residential groups co-located together. Excavations were place in two on the 29^th and the third should be investigated later this field season. The initial group that was investigated was nicknamed “Canta.” An axial excavation was placed over its eastern mound (C241B) and a 2 m by 2 m excavation was placed in the middle of the plaza over a sump (C241C). Excavating the sump has proved it to be a chultun. The easternmost group was nicknamed “Ayayayay” and had a 2 m axial trench placed over its very large eastern mound (C242B).

In spite of the short time of excavation, capstones were already located in the eastern section of C241B. Above these capstones were found 1 whole and 3 partial limestone bars and an obsidian eccentric (labeled SD C241B-1). A limestone bar was also found in the summit fill of C242B and a cist in the plaza. A good start for the season.