Nohmul (meaning “Great Mound” in Yucatec Maya) is a major Pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site in the Orange Walk District of northern Belize, near the Hondo River and the village of San Jose. Occupied from the Middle Preclassic (ca. 1000 BC) through the Terminal Classic (ca. AD 900–1000), Nohmul was a significant regional center, likely controlling trade and agriculture in northern Belize. The site is renowned for its large pyramid, extensive settlement, and evidence of Yucatec influence in its later phases. Tragically, in 2013, a construction company bulldozed much of Nohmul’s main pyramid to extract road fill, sparking global outrage and highlighting preservation challenges. Despite this loss, Nohmul remains a key site for understanding Maya urbanism, trade, and cultural transitions, with ongoing efforts to protect its remnants.
Location: Nohmul is located in the Orange Walk District,
approximately 10 km east of Orange Walk Town and 2 km from the Hondo
River, which forms the border with Mexico. Its coordinates are roughly
18°13'N, 88°35'W, placing it in a fertile lowland region near the New
River watershed. The site is accessible via rural roads but surrounded
by sugarcane fields, reflecting its agricultural context.
Terrain and
Climate: Nohmul sits in a tropical lowland environment with flat,
fertile soils ideal for maize and sugarcane cultivation. The region
experiences a humid tropical climate, with temperatures averaging
75–85°F and heavy rainfall (60–80 inches annually) during the rainy
season (June–November). The Hondo River provided water for agriculture
and trade, linking Nohmul to coastal and inland networks.
Environmental Context: The site’s proximity to wetlands and rivers
supported intensive agriculture, including raised fields and canals, a
hallmark of northern Belizean Maya sites. However, seasonal flooding and
soil depletion may have challenged long-term sustainability. Modern
sugarcane farming, which encroaches on the site, reflects continuity in
the region’s agricultural focus but poses risks to archaeological
preservation.
Nohmul’s strategic riverine location and fertile
landscape underpinned its role as a trade and agricultural hub, but its
environmental setting also highlights vulnerabilities that may have
contributed to its decline.
Nohmul’s history spans over two millennia, reflecting the evolution
of Maya civilization in northern Belize:
Middle Preclassic (ca.
1000–400 BC): Nohmul was settled during the Middle Preclassic, with
evidence of early ceramic production and platform construction. Its
early development suggests it was a regional center, possibly tied to
emerging elites and trade networks along the Hondo River.
Late
Preclassic (400 BC – AD 250): The site grew significantly, with the
construction of its main pyramid (Structure 2), dated to around 250 BC,
standing 56 feet (17 meters) tall. Nohmul likely served as a ceremonial
and administrative hub, controlling local agriculture and trade.
Early Classic (AD 250–600): Nohmul maintained its regional influence,
possibly as a secondary center subordinate to larger polities like Tikal
or El Mirador. Architectural expansions, including plazas and elite
residences, reflect growing complexity.
Late and Terminal Classic (AD
600–1000): Nohmul reached its peak, with a dense settlement and evidence
of Yucatec cultural influence, seen in ceramics and architectural
styles. The site’s rulers likely managed trade in chert, obsidian, and
marine resources, connecting northern Belize to the Yucatán and Petén
regions. Nohmul survived the Classic Maya collapse (ca. AD 800–900),
with occupation continuing into the Terminal Classic, though at a
reduced scale.
Postclassic and Abandonment (after AD 1000): Activity
at Nohmul declined significantly after AD 1000, with minimal evidence of
Postclassic occupation. Environmental stress, trade disruptions, or
political fragmentation may have led to its abandonment.
Modern Era:
Nohmul was rediscovered in the 19th century and excavated in the 20th
century by archaeologists like Thomas Gann and Norman Hammond. The 2013
destruction of its main pyramid by a construction company, seeking
gravel for road fill, drew international attention, exposing lax
enforcement of heritage laws.
Nohmul’s long occupation and late
Yucatec influence distinguish it as a resilient center, but its modern
destruction underscores the fragility of Maya heritage.
Nohmul’s archaeological features, documented through excavations in
the 1980s and earlier surveys, highlight its role as a major Maya city:
Architecture:
Main Pyramid (Structure 2): The site’s centerpiece
was a 56-foot-tall pyramid, built around 250 BC, with a broad platform
and multiple phases of construction. It served ceremonial and political
functions, housing elite tombs and rituals. Tragically, this structure
was largely demolished in 2013 by bulldozers, leaving only a small core
intact.
Plazas and Complexes: Nohmul covers approximately 20 km²,
with multiple plazas, temples, and residential areas. The East Group,
including Structure 2, was the ceremonial core, while the West Group
featured administrative and elite residences. An acropolis and causeways
(sacbeob) connected key areas, reflecting urban planning.
Ballcourt:
A ballcourt, typical of Maya civic centers, hosted ritual games tied to
political and religious life. Its presence underscores Nohmul’s regional
status.
Artifacts:
Ceramics: Excavations uncovered a rich
ceramic sequence, from Preclassic Swasey and Bladen types to Terminal
Classic Yucatec-influenced wares. These link Nohmul to trade networks
across the Maya lowlands and Yucatán.
Chert and Obsidian: Nohmul was
a hub for chert tool production, with evidence of specialized workshops.
Obsidian blades, sourced from Guatemala, indicate long-distance trade.
Burials and Offerings: Elite burials with jade, shell, and ceramic
offerings reflect social stratification. Commoner households, studied in
settlement surveys, show a diverse population.
Settlement Patterns:
Nohmul’s extensive settlement, mapped in the 1980s, includes over 700
structures, from elite palaces to commoner houses. Raised fields and
canals supported intensive agriculture, sustaining a population
estimated in the thousands.
Yucatec Influence: Terminal Classic
ceramics and architectural features, such as corbelled arches, suggest
cultural ties to the Yucatán, possibly reflecting migration or trade
with Chichén Itzá.
Nohmul’s archaeological record, despite the 2013
loss, provides critical insights into Maya urbanism, trade, and cultural
transitions, particularly its late adaptation to northern influences.
Nohmul holds significant cultural value for both scholarly research
and modern Belizean communities:
Maya Heritage: As northern
Belize’s most important Maya site, Nohmul showcases the region’s role in
Maya civilization, bridging Preclassic origins with Terminal Classic
innovations. Its trade networks and Yucatec connections highlight
northern Belize’s integration into the broader Maya world.
Local
Communities: The nearby villages of San Jose and Douglas, primarily
Mestizo and Yucatec Maya, view Nohmul as ancestral heritage. The 2013
destruction galvanized local advocacy for heritage protection, with
communities calling for stronger laws and site management.
Global
Awareness: The bulldozing incident, reported by National Geographic,
BBC, and others, raised global awareness of Nohmul and the broader
threat to Maya sites. It sparked discussions about balancing development
with cultural preservation, positioning Nohmul as a cautionary tale.
Nohmul’s cultural significance lies in its historical depth and its
modern role as a symbol of heritage under threat, resonating with
Belize’s ongoing efforts to protect its Maya legacy.
Research at Nohmul has been shaped by both archaeological progress
and the 2013 destruction:
Historical Excavations: Early work by
Thomas Gann in the 1930s and Norman Hammond’s surveys in the 1980s
(e.g., 1983 and 1985) mapped Nohmul’s settlement and documented its
ceramics and chert production. These studies established Nohmul as a
major center with a continuous occupation.
Post-2013 Efforts: The
2013 destruction, perpetrated by D-Mar Construction for road fill,
prompted emergency assessments by the Belize Institute of Archaeology.
While the pyramid’s core was partially salvaged, the loss curtailed
large-scale excavations. Recent research focuses on peripheral
structures and settlement patterns, using remote sensing to identify
unlooted areas.
Tourism and Conservation: Nohmul is listed as an
attraction by Lonely Planet, but its damaged state and remote location
limit tourism. The Belize government has increased patrols and community
engagement to prevent further looting, though funding remains limited.
Local groups advocate for Nohmul’s inclusion in eco-tourism circuits,
alongside sites like Lamanai.
Legal and Policy Response: The 2013
incident led to fines for the construction company, but critics argue
the penalties were insufficient. It spurred calls for stricter heritage
laws, influencing policies for other Belizean sites.
Current efforts
prioritize salvage archaeology and advocacy, though Nohmul’s reduced
physical presence hinders its research and tourism potential.