Christopher Jones, a Maya archaeologist and epigrapher most noted for his investigation and discovery of part of the historical record preserved in the inscriptions at the famous site of Tikal, Guatemala, died September 3 at his home in Kimberton, Pennsylvania after a long illness. He was 77.

A research associate (1973-2001) and following retirement, an active consulting scholar in the American section at the Penn Museum, Dr. Jones earned his BA at Harvard College and his MA and PhD (in anthropology, 1969) at the University of Pennsylvania. His dissertation, The Twin-Pyramid Group Pattern: A Classic Maya Architectural Assemblage at Tikal, Guatemala, was based on his four years of excavation (1962-1965) with the Museum at Tikal, under the direction of William Coe. In addition to his fieldwork there, he directed site-core excavations at Quirigua, Guatemala, another Penn Museum project (1976 and 1977).

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of Christopher Jones,” noted Julian Siggers, the Williams Director of the Penn Museum. “We are fortunate that he left behind such a large and important body of work building upon our understanding of the ancient Maya.”

At the Penn Museum, Dr. Jones was actively engaged in the ongoing research and massive publication efforts of the site of Tikal—one of the largest ancient cities in the Americas and the capital of one of the most powerful polities, or city-states, of the ancient Maya in the Classical period (AD 200-900)—where the Penn Museum conducted excavations (1956-1970). He was one of a small number of scholars who was both a fine epigrapher and a skilled excavator. At Tikal, where he succeeded in deciphering complex king lists and dates, a dynastic history from the famous city, he also illuminated the nature of the important East Plaza through his careful excavations and key publication on this research.

Although his work and publications were scholarly, Dr. Jones delighted in sharing his love and knowledge of the ancient Maya with a broader public whenever the opportunity arose. He was instrumental in the creation of the Penn Museum’s long-running annual Maya Weekend, which began in 1983 and was one of the most popular programs to bring Maya archaeology and epigraphy to the public. For many years he led tours of Maya sites in Guatemala, Belize and Mexico for the Penn Museum, Wilderness Travel and the Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Jones is survived by his wife, Leslie; four sons, Edward K., William P. (Christina Ewig), Frederick W. (Christine Achterman-Jones) and Ashton G. (Stelia Nappi); seven grandchildren, Moses, Carson, Gabriel, Zachary, Samson, Sebastian and Quinn; his brothers, Peter H. (Hal) and Nicholas (Sue); and his sister-in-law, Suzanne.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 18 in the Widener Lecture Hall at the Penn Museum. Contributions may be made in his name to the Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, or to the Schuylkill Friends Meeting, 37 N. Whitehorse Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460.