When you think about a Mayan ruin you generally picture it in the middle of a dripping green subtropical jungle with monkeys screeching and barely covered golden treasures gleaming on the ground. This is NOT Santa Rita. Much of the Santa Rita site has been destroyed by encroaching civilization as the city of Corozal grew larger.
To give a sense of perspective, the oldest continuously occupied city in the United States is considered to be St. Augustine, Florida which was founded in 1565. Santa Rita, probably known then as Chetumal, was founded about 3,500 years before St. Augustine! Amazing!
New Excavation at Santa Rita
Thursday, 14 Feb 2013 — $ 100,000 BZD Funding Santa Rita Excavation
With a grant provided by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, Dr. Jaime Awe is overseeing a major excavation and development of the Santa Rita Archaeological site.
This announcement was a wonderful surprise! The Santa Rita site had been left to slowly deteriorate. During the rainy season, mud and water would wash down the hillside and collect. Kids would play on and around the temple. There was litter and graffiti and a general sense of neglect. The funding for excavation allowed the possibility of changing a sadly abused site to one of order and respect.
I moved to Belize in February, 2013, two days before the announcement was made, to retire in the sun and warmth. I had to slow down after my heart attack! But it’s difficult for a Type A personality like myself to settle into relaxation mode.
There was a crew of about thirty laborers moving wheelbarrows loaded with dirt and rocks. There was a man from the Institute of Archeology, (Jorge), who was responsible for the excavation of the site. Another, (Jim) Manager of the Lamanai Mayan site, who was borrowed for the daily management of the project. A third, (Andreas), who was knowledgeable about Mayan archaeology as well as the plants and animals of the country. We called Andreas our teacher. There were groups of younger guys full of energy who went by nicknames like Gordo (Fatty) and Spoon, Gordo would look at Colleen and I as the two Gringas in the group, grin a little, and say little absurdities like, “America runs on Dunkin Donuts”. It was great fun!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this information about the Mayan ruin in Santa Rita. I have visited the site and felt the importance of history. Very well written article. Hope to see more.
Wonderful article! What an honor to be able to "scritch" for ancient ruins! Thank you, Cathy.