Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve

Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize – 2014. Nim Li Punit is located in the foothills of the Maya Mountains in the southern part of Belize and was rediscovered in 1976. It was inhabited sometime between the middle Classic Period (AD250 – 1000) until AD 800 and 1000. Nim Li Punit was in what was the southern lowland region of ancient Maya territory. The site name is derived from a figure on the longest carved monument (Stela 14) which shows a man wearing a large diadem (headdress) and means “big hat” in Kekchi Maya. The site is made up of three main areas designated the East, West and South Groups. The East Group is the first area entered after leaving the Information Centre and is an area of terraced platforms on a hillside. The Ball Park and South Group are visible down the hill. The South Group includes the Plaza of the Stelae and the Plaza of the Royal Tombs. The West Group is not open to the Public.

One of four stela on display in the Stela House beside the visitor center, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

One of four stela on display in the Stela House beside the visitor center, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Structure 36 of the East Group, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Structure 36 of the East Group, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

East Group, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

One of the three stone markers in the East Group used to mark the solstices, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

One of the three stone markers in the East Group used to mark the solstices, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Part of the South Group, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Tomb 2 & 3 in the Plaza of the Royal Tombs, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Tomb 2 & 3 in the Plaza of the Royal Tombs, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Plaza of the Royal Tombs , Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Tomb 1 Plaza of the Royal Tombs, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Tomb 1 Plaza of the Royal Tombs, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

One of the better preserved stela in the Plaza of the Stelae, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

A tree in the Plaza of the Stelae, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Plaza of the Stelae, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Plaza of the Stelae, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Plaza of the Stelae, Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize

The Ball Court at Nim Li Punit Archaeological Reserve, Belize