A “Maya Mound” in a parcel of land located in the residential area of San Pablo, south of San Pedro Town, as been partially leveled and disrupted as it seems that owners of the property are ready to develop on the property.
What has raised concerns of the neighborhood of San Pablo is that, to the knowledge of the community, that parcel of land was designated a park when the area was being developed and it was discovered that it contained a Maya mound with rich historical and cultural significance for the island of Ambergris Caye.
Needless to say, residents were shocked when they noticed that about half of the Maya mound has been moved and cleared. Upon closer investigations, that parcel of land was sold a few years back with Minister Manuel Heredia expressing the fact that the land should have never been sold.
Maya pottery shards found on the property after it was partially cleared
The lot was once designated a park for the surrounding neighborhood of San Pablo with a palapa, picnic tables and a Maya Stella replica built on it. After many years nothing was done to preserve the Maya mound and park and the lot was overgrown in vegetation. The mound most definitely holds much significant to island residents and should to the Government of Belize for its possible archeological value.
We were stunned to find out that the parcel of land was sold and may not be protected under the laws of Belize. Surveying the area with Jan Brown of the Marco Gonzalez Archeological Site, the land was clearly once inhabited by the Maya. Thousands of shards of pottery can be found on the property and Jan Brown even identified plaster which indicates that there was once a maya structure on site.
Our investigations discovered that the property is under ownership of a gentleman under a Ladyville address in the mainland. Sources also indicate that whoever is clearing the land has intentions to build an apartment complex.
For Sale Sign on propoerty about 10 years back
“Some one came to the Town Council requesting permission to clear the property,” commented Mayor Daniel Guerrero to Ambergris Today. “But to my knowledge that parcel of land indeed has significance archeological importance that I did not grant permission for that land to be cleared until the owner came to my office with clearance from the Archeological Department of Belize.”
Mayor Guerrero stated that the Town Council will not be involved in the demolition of the Maya Mound unless clearance is given. The parcel of land is clearly not property of the Government of Belize and there needs to be assurance from the Archeological Department that the site not being preserved for its archeological importance for development permission to be granted.
According to a statement previously made by Minister Heredia, while the owners can legally sell the parcel of land, whoever purchases it will not be able to do any construction on the property. This was a few years ago, time has passed and there might have been changes to the status of the property.
The San Pedro Town Council has ordered a stop to the clearing of the property and will send a report to the Archeological Department of Belize.
Hundrends, if not thousands, of pottery shards on site
