Reconstructing the Environmental History of Progresso Lagoon in Northern Belize Using Loss-on-Ignition Analysis Collin Morrow Project Mentor(s): Megan Walsh, PhD Progresso Lagoon is an approximately 9 km long brackish water body that sits in lowland tropical forest within the boundaries of an ancient Maya Civilization near the town of Progresso in northern Belize. Lake sediment cores transecting Progresso Lagoon from north to south were obtained in 2022 and 2024 and brought back for analysis in the Paleoecology Lab (Geography Department) at CWU. The cores contain all the accumulated sediments within the lagoon, from bedrock to the sediment-water interface, spanning the past ~7000 years. The purpose of this research was to determine the organic and carbonate makeup of the sediments using loss-on-ignition analysis. This is done by taking 1-cc samples from contiguous 1 cm intervals throughout the length of the cores and measuring the weight lost after firing the samples for 2 hours at first 550 °C and then 900 °C. In this study we compare the loss-on-ignition results of sediment cores from the northern and southern end of the lagoon to see the degree of variability between them. This was done through both mapping of the core locations and visualization of the loss-on-ignition data. Preliminary results show that the percentage of carbonate and organic content within the cores varies depending upon core location and length. The results of the study are important because they will be used to better understand the environmental history of Progresso Lagoon, which is important for interpreting fire and vegetation history reconstructions from the site. Between Cross and Crown: The Political Autonomy of the Knights Templar in the Kingdom of Jerusalem Jordon Spiese Project Mentor(s): Kevin Archer, PhD This project examines the extent to which the Knights Templar functioned as independent political actors within the 12th century Kingdom of Jerusalem. While traditionally understood as a religious military order serving the interests of the Crusader monarchy, this study argues that the Templars operated with significant autonomy due to papal privileges, institutional structure, and control of strategic resources. Drawing on papal bulls, particularly those issued under Pope Innocent II, as well as charter and records of landholding, this project analyzes how the order navigated and at times bypassed royal authority. By situating the Templars within the broader political framework of the Crusader States, this study demonstrates that they acted not only as agents of the crown, but as parallel power brokers within the Latin East. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Political Authority, Crusades, Templars, Medieval Governance, Historical Geography SOURCE Form ID: 44 Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Lake cores, Sediments, climate change, soils, wildfire SOURCE Form ID: 198
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