Mayan Ruins in BelizeAn important part of Belize’ history are the Mayan ruins, a legacy of outstanding palaces and temples. The Mayan civilization began as early as 1500 B.C. and started to decline in 900 A.D., although some Maya cultural centers continued to be occupied until the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century. Belize's population was thought to be over 1 million people during the classic period (250 A.D. to 900 A.D.) when Belize became the heart of the Mayan civilization. To this day, there is still a significant Mayan population living in small villages throughout the country. The
oldest Mayan Ruin appears to be Cuello in Orange Walk. Then came
the pre-classic era in which the cities of Lamanai, home to the
largest pre-classic structure in the Mayan world, and Cerros prospered.
In the classic period, the crowning period for the Mayan Civilization,
the enormous sites of Caracol and El Pilar rose out of the forest
and ceremonial centres like Xunantunich built lovely temples and
pyramids. Today, most of the sites are under excavation and preservation, but some sites like Cerros lack the funding needed to preserve it. It is important to preserve these sites as lasting monuments of the great Mayan civilization. |