Santa Rita Corozal, located on the outskirts of modern-day Corozal Town in northern Belize, is an ancient Maya archaeological site believed to be the remnants of the significant coastal city of Chetumal (also referred to as Chactemal). Strategically positioned along Chetumal Bay, near the mouths of the Río Hondo and New River, Santa Rita was a vital hub in the Maya trade network, connecting coastal and inland regions. Its history spans over three millennia, from the Preclassic Period (ca. 2000–1200 BCE) to the Postclassic Period (up to ca. 1530 CE), with continued occupation even after Spanish contact in the 16th century.
Santa Rita’s importance stems from its geographic
advantage, situated on a bluff overlooking Corozal Bay, with access to
two major rivers that served as trade arteries. These rivers facilitated
commerce with inland Maya centers like Lamanai, La Milpa, and sites in
the Petén region of Guatemala, as well as coastal trade routes extending
to Central America, the Yucatán Peninsula, and the Gulf of Mexico. The
site’s primary trade goods included cacao, honey, vanilla, achiote,
fish, and mollusks, while imported items like jade, obsidian, turquoise,
copper, gold, and Plumbate ceramics from regions as far as Peru,
Guatemala, and central Mexico highlight its role as a cosmopolitan
trading port.
Archaeological evidence suggests Santa Rita was the
provincial capital of Chetumal during the Late Postclassic Period
(1350–1530 CE), a time when it thrived after the decline of Mayapán, one
of the dominant Maya centers in the Yucatán. Unlike many Maya sites that
collapsed during the Classic Period (ca. 250–900 CE), Santa Rita
persisted, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Its occupation
continued into the early Spanish colonial period, with historical
records indicating that in 1531, Spanish conquistador Alonso Dávila
attempted to establish a base called Villa Real at Chetumal, only to
find it temporarily abandoned as part of a Maya resistance strategy. The
Maya later reclaimed the city, underscoring its enduring significance.
Santa Rita is also notable for its cultural blending, particularly
evident in its Postclassic murals, which combine Maya and Central
Mexican (Mixteca-style) artistic elements. This fusion reflects
interactions with non-Maya groups, possibly from Oaxaca or central
Mexico, and underscores the site’s role as a cultural crossroads.
Santa Rita’s archaeological record reveals a long
sequence of occupation, one of the longest in Belize, with distinct
phases of development:
Preclassic Period (2000–250 BCE)
Early Preclassic (2000–1200 BCE): The earliest evidence of
habitation dates to this period, with a small population of
approximately 150 living on a high bluff in the southwest of the
site. Four burials from this time, containing ceramics and shell
jewelry, indicate early settlement.
Middle Preclassic (1200–900
BCE): Population growth was minimal, with no significant increase in
settlement size or complexity.
Late Preclassic (900 BCE–250 CE):
The population grew to around 1,000, with 12 identified sites
yielding 34 burials. Artifacts include Sierra Red pottery, common
across the Maya Lowlands, suggesting integration into broader Maya
cultural networks.
Protoclassic (250 BCE–250 CE): A transitional
phase between the Preclassic and Classic periods, marked by
continued population growth and increasing complexity in social
organization.
Classic Period (250–900 CE)
Early Classic
(250–600 CE): By this time, Santa Rita had approximately 1,500
residents and developed into a more structured village. Monumental
architecture, such as Structure 7 (the tallest building at the site,
reaching 17 meters in its final phase), emerged, reflecting a
growing social hierarchy. Thirteen burials from this period, three
of which were in Structure 7, contained elite goods like jade,
shell, and ceramics, suggesting the presence of a powerful ruler
around 450 CE. Trade along the Río Hondo and New River fueled wealth
accumulation.
Late Classic (600–900 CE): While many Maya centers
declined, Santa Rita maintained its role as a trade hub. Structure
7’s final construction phase dates to this period, and burials,
including one of an elderly female with a jadeite and shell mask,
indicate continued elite presence.
Postclassic Period
(900–1530 CE)
Early Postclassic (900–1200 CE): Santa Rita
remained active, with evidence of continued trade and occupation. An
intrusive burial on Structure 7’s stairway suggests ongoing use.
Late Postclassic (1200–1530 CE): This was Santa Rita’s peak, with an
estimated population of 6,800–6,900, making it the largest
settlement in the Chetumal region. Unlike earlier periods, large
monumental buildings were less common, but low-lying structures
proliferated, often built over earlier constructions. Excavations in
1985 uncovered nine Postclassic buildings, with Structures 183 and
213 containing ritual figurines (25 and 28 respectively), placed in
ceramic urns, possibly as offerings. The site’s murals, discovered
by Thomas Gann in Structure 1, depicted sacrificial rituals and
combined Maya glyphs with Central Mexican styles, though they were
destroyed by locals before full documentation.
Spanish Contact
(16th Century): Santa Rita remained occupied, resisting Spanish
control. Its strategic importance led to Dávila’s failed attempt to
establish Villa Real, and the site was abandoned by the late 16th
century.
Much of Santa Rita has been lost to modern
development, as Corozal Town, founded in 1848 by refugees from the
Yucatán Caste War, was built over the ancient city. Stones from Maya
structures were repurposed for roads and buildings, and many mounds
were leveled. Despite this, several key features remain:
Structure 7: The only fully restored structure, located in a small
archaeological park, is a pyramid standing approximately 13–17
meters tall. It was a focal point for elite burials, with three
lavish tombs from the Early Classic period containing jade, shells,
and ceramics. The structure may have served as a temple or mortuary
complex, given its association with underworld iconography.
Structure 1 (Destroyed): Once adorned with Postclassic murals in a
Mixteca-Maya style, this structure was bulldozed in 1979. Thomas
Gann’s drawings of the murals, dated to 1350–1500 CE, provide
critical insights into the site’s ritual and artistic practices.
Structures 183 and 213: Excavated in 1985, these Postclassic
buildings contained ritual figurines, suggesting ceremonial use. The
figurines, placed in urns or around altars, reflect Late Postclassic
religious practices.
Other Features: Residential complexes,
including elite palaces with sanctuaries and modest dwellings, were
organized around plazas. Burials, particularly those of elites, were
often located behind structures or platforms and contained rich
offerings like jade earrings, spondylus beads, and modeled ceramics,
such as one depicting a man emerging from a jaguar’s head.
Santa Rita challenges the outdated narrative that
Postclassic Maya society was in decline. Instead, it thrived as a
vibrant trade and cultural center, maintaining rituals, social
structures, and political influence. Its resilience is evident in its
survival through the Classic Maya collapse and Spanish incursion. The
site’s artifacts and architecture reflect a sophisticated society with a
complex social hierarchy, extensive trade networks, and cultural
interactions with Central Mexican groups.
A notable historical
event associated with Santa Rita is the marriage of Maya Princess Zazil
Há of Chetumal to Spanish shipwreck survivor Gonzalo Guerrero around
1511. Guerrero, who assimilated into Maya society, married Zazil Há, and
their union is celebrated as a symbol of mestizo origins in the region.
This event is reenacted annually at Santa Rita, often in December,
organized by the Corozal Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry
Association and the Corozal House of Culture. The site also hosts the
Indigenous Peoples Resistance Day Celebration, featuring cultural
presentations and authentic cuisines.
Today, Santa Rita is a small archaeological reserve, with only
Structure 7 fully restored and accessible to the public. The site
covers an estimated 1.5 square miles but is significantly reduced
due to Corozal Town’s expansion. Visitors can reach it by foot,
taxi, or bus from Corozal Town, located about 1 mile north of the
town center near 2nd Street North. The entrance fee is approximately
BZD $5 for Belizeans and BZD $10 for non-Belizeans, with free entry
for Belizeans on Sundays and holidays.
The site is open daily
from 8 AM to 5 PM, though facilities are limited (restrooms are
available, but there is no on-site museum). Local guides may be
arranged through the Corozal Cultural Center, and visitors are
advised to bring water, comfortable shoes, mosquito repellent, and
to visit early to avoid heat. The view from Structure 7’s summit
offers a stunning panorama of Corozal Bay, connecting modern
visitors to the ancient Maya’s strategic vantage point.
Visitor reviews are mixed. Some praise the site’s historical
significance and the knowledgeable guides, describing it as a
“hidden gem” for a quick visit. Others find it underwhelming due to
its small size, single restored structure, and occasional lack of
guide engagement. The site’s residential setting and chain-link
fencing can detract from the experience, and it has been described
as difficult to locate without directions.
Santa Rita has been studied since the late 19th century, beginning
with Thomas Gann’s 1894 excavations, which uncovered the Postclassic
murals. Subsequent research by Ernestine Green (1973), Norman Hammond,
Duncan Pring, Raymond Sidrys (1970s), and Arlen and Diane Chase’s
Corozal Postclassic Project (1979–1985) provided detailed insights into
the site’s history. The 2012–2013 Santa Rita Corozal Project, led by
Jaime Awe and the Chases, further consolidated findings.
Preservation efforts face challenges due to urban encroachment. The
National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) has cleared and
maintained Structure 7, but much of the site remains unexcavated or
lost. The murals’ destruction highlights early preservation failures,
though Gann’s drawings remain a valuable record. Ongoing efforts focus
on protecting the remaining structures and promoting the site as a
cultural and tourist destination.