Cerros: Ancient Maya Trade Center In Belize

The Cerros archaeological site in Belize is located on the coastline of the Corozal District in the country's north, around 84 to 85 miles from Belize City. It sits on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River, where it meets the Bay of Chetumal, also known as Corozal Bay. This strategic location gave the ancient Maya civilisation that once inhabited the site access to coastal trade routes.

The site's unique location on the coast

The Cerros archaeological site in Belize is unique in its location on the coast. It is the only Maya site in Belize situated on the coast. It is located on a northern peninsula in the Bay of Chetumal, at the mouth of the New River where it empties into the bay. This strategic location gave the site access to coastal trade routes and allowed it to serve as an intermediary link between the coastal trade route circumnavigating the Yucatán Peninsula and inland communities.

The site's inhabitants took advantage of its coastal location and access to the New River for trade and transportation. Maya traders arrived by canoe from the coast through the Bay of Chetumal and from upriver on the Rio Hondo in the north and the New River to the south. The site's location on the coast and its access to the river provided opportunities for trade and the exchange of goods and ideas with other Maya communities in the region.

In addition to its role as a trading centre, Cerros also had a thriving local economy based on fishing, farming, and the development of advanced irrigation systems. The Maya people who inhabited Cerros constructed an extensive canal system and utilised raised-field agriculture to manage water and irrigate their crops. They made use of the fertile soils and easy access to the sea, producing and trading goods with other Maya in the area.

The site's location on the coast and its proximity to the river also influenced the layout and design of the structures within the site. The core of the site abuts the bay and consists of several large structures, including stepped pyramids, an acropolis complex, and two ball courts. The residential structures extend outside of the crescent-shaped canal network that bounds the southern side of the site, radiating southwest and southeast.

The history of the site's discovery

Cerros is an Eastern Lowland Maya archaeological site in northern Belize, located on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River where it meets the Bay of Chetumal on the Caribbean coast. The site was strategically positioned to facilitate trade between the coastal route circumnavigating the Yucatán Peninsula and inland communities.

Recognising the site's archaeological significance, Metroplex contacted Ira R. Abrams, an anthropologist with experience working with the Maya in British Honduras (now Belize). Abrams, along with John Love (President of Metroplex), John Favro (a Metroplex employee), and Stanley Marcus (a local arts patron), established the Cerro Maya Foundation to fund excavations and site restoration. They hired archaeologist David Freidel to lead the excavations, which commenced around 1973.

In 1974, Freidel's team uncovered evidence suggesting that the site dated back to the Late Preclassic period, a finding further supported by the discovery of a dedicatory offering cache at Structure 6 in 1975. Throughout the 1970s, research continued with funding from the National Science Foundation, and the original team completed their excavations in 1981.

In the 1990s, a new series of excavations was initiated by Debra Walker and her team of archaeologists. They conducted radiocarbon dating on newly discovered artefacts and recalibrated dates from the original research to establish a more precise chronological sequence.

The site's use as a trading hub

The ancient Maya site of Cerros in Belize was a thriving trading hub, strategically located on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River where it meets the Bay of Chetumal on the Caribbean coast. This prime location gave the site access to both coastal and inland trade routes, connecting it to other parts of the Maya empire and beyond.

Cerros was inhabited from around 400 BC to 400 AD, with a peak population of approximately 1,089 people. The site was a bustling centre of economic activity, with its inhabitants engaging in fishing, farming, and trade. They constructed an extensive canal system and utilised raised-field agriculture, taking advantage of the area's fertile soils and easy access to the sea.

Over time, Cerros became a major trading centre, attracting merchants from across the Maya empire. The site was a crossroads of cultures, with traders exchanging goods such as jade, obsidian, and other commodities. The establishment of kingship around 50 BC further solidified Cerros' importance as a trading hub, with new temples and plazas constructed to showcase the power and prestige of its rulers.

The unique location of Cerros as the only Maya site on the Belizean coast also contributed to its significance as a trading centre. Maya traders arrived by canoe from the coast, navigating through the Bay of Chetumal, as well as from inland via the New River and the Rio Hondo. This made Cerros a vital link in the Maya trade network, connecting coastal and inland communities and facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

Today, visitors to the archaeological site can explore the remnants of this once-thriving trading centre, including stepped pyramids, ball courts, temples, and residential buildings. While much of Cerros remains unexcavated, the site provides valuable insights into the economic and cultural significance of this ancient Maya trading hub.

The site's architecture

The site of Cerros is located on a peninsula at the mouth of the New River, where it meets the Bay of Chetumal on the Caribbean coast of Belize. The site is notable for its extensive canal system and its use of raised-field agriculture. The core of the site consists of several large structures, including stepped pyramids, an acropolis complex, and two ballcourts.

The first of the new constructions, and the most famous piece of architecture at the site, is Structure 5C-2nd, which marked the northernmost point of the sacred north–south axis of the site. This structure is a two-tiered, south-facing platform pyramid with wall stubs that would have supported a perishable superstructure. The entire settlement faced south, allowing the whole community to witness rituals performed on the pyramid's staircase.

Of particular importance are the four huge painted plaster mask reliefs placed against the platform's stepped walls, which depict the forces of the cosmos. The two lower masks have been identified as representations of The Hero Twins of the Popol Vuh, with the main mask on the lower right panel depicting the rising sun and Xbalanque. The upper mask on the right depicts Hunahpu, or Venus/the Morning Star, and the upper mask on the left depicts Hunahpu in the position of the Evening Star.

The second temple, Structure 6, is larger and located in front of Structure 5C-2nd on the west side of the north–south axis. This temple forms part of a triadic pattern, consisting of a main temple flanked by two smaller buildings, which was elevated on a large platform. This triadic plan was a hallmark of major Preclassic centres, and the rulers of Cerros may have emulated this architectural plan to reinforce the cosmological principles underlying their power.

The third temple, Structure 4, was built by the same ruler as Structure 6 and is located opposite the second temple on the east side of the east–west axis at Cerros. This temple was the largest at Cerros and was meant to be the king's funerary shrine, though it was never used for unknown reasons.

The final temple at the site, Structure 3A, was built around AD 100 and is considered to be the last of the substantial constructions. This temple was built directly south of Structure 4, returning to the original sacred north–south axis and earlier south-facing orientation. However, it was carelessly constructed and did not contain a burial cache, signalling a decline in the power of the rulers of Cerros.

The site's current popularity as a tourist destination

Cerros is an archaeological site in northern Belize, located on the coast in the Corozal District. It is one of the few Maya cities that was continuously occupied for centuries, from 400 BC to 400 AD, and is distinguished by its coastal location rather than being situated deep inland in the jungle. The site is easily accessible, with a ferry from Orange Walk Town providing the fastest route. Alternatively, visitors can drive around 55 miles down the Northern Highway. The site can be reached by looping around the bay by road or by hiring a tourist boat from Corozal Town.

Cerros is a popular tourist destination due to its historical and cultural significance as a Maya trading centre. It is the first Maya city known to have established a king as its ruler, and it played a crucial role in facilitating trade between inland cities and the coast. The site offers visitors the opportunity to explore stepped pyramids, ball courts, temples, raised fields, irrigation canals, residential buildings, monuments, and burial sites. The most famous building at Cerros is a temple known as Str. 5C2nd or Structure 5C-2nd, which features stucco masks representing different aspects of the Sun, Venus, and the Hero Twins, Hunaphu and Xbalanque.

The site's popularity is further enhanced by its natural surroundings, with the nearby Cerros Beach Resort offering activities such as fishing, kayaking, and trekking through the surrounding jungle. The resort caters to various types of travellers, from romantic getaways to family vacations, and provides a rustic, tropical setting where tourists can feel like locals.

While most of Cerros remains unexcavated, the site has been the focus of several archaeological excavations and research projects. These endeavours have provided valuable insights into the Maya society, including their economy, trade networks, and social stratification. The site's significance as a tourist destination is likely to grow as more discoveries are made and the understanding of Maya history and culture expands.

Cerros' popularity as a tourist destination can be attributed to its unique characteristics, accessibility, and the ongoing archaeological discoveries that continue to unveil the mysteries of the ancient Maya civilisation.

Frequently asked questions