Journal of Cave and Karst Studies - ISSN 1090-6924
Volume 58 Number 2: 81-99 - August 1996

A publication of the National Speleological Society

Cave Archaeology of Belize
Logan McNatt

Abstract

Approximately 300 caves have been documented in Belize in the past 100 years. These include 198 registered archaeological sites. Ethnohistoric, ethnographic, iconographic, and archaeological sources indicate the importance of caves in Maya culture over a period spanning at least 1,500 years. The few analyses of ceramics from Belize caves indicate use predominantly during the Late/Terminal Classic and Early Postclassic (A.D. 600-1100). A wide array of archaeological evidence such as ceremonial dumps, burials, art, and artificial construction support the idea that caves were used primarily for ceremonial activities. Looting is a major problem, and lack of funding seriously compromises not only the protection of cave sites, but also the preservation of materials and publication of the information recovered by archaeological research.

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