Nohmul Archaeological Site

Address: Near San Estevan, Orange Walk District, Belize

Nohmul is an archaeological site in Belize’s Orange Walk District noted for large ancient earth mounds constructed by the Maya. The site contains surviving pyramid mounds and earthen structures from the Pre-Columbian period.

Remains at the site are primarily earthen mounds and plazas visible above the surrounding agricultural landscape rather than extensively excavated stone architecture. The location is valued for its scale of raised mounds and as an example of Classic-period Maya settlement patterns.

Nohmul was occupied by the Maya during the Classic period and functioned as a local centre with large artificial mounds constructed over centuries. In modern times parts of the site were severely damaged when sections of its mounds were removed for road fill in 2013, an event that received international attention.

Situated in Belize’s Orange Walk District, the site lies within largely agricultural terrain in northern Belize and is accessed from nearby rural roads.

• Site condition: A large Pre-Columbian Maya centre with substantial artificial mounds dating to the Classic period; the site was widely reported damaged by modern bulldozing in 2013.

Reachable from Orange Walk town by road; the site is near San Estevan. Hiring a local guide or driver is recommended due to rural roads and variable signage.

• Visit with a local Maya guide who can point to construction phases and explain the 2013 looting incident that damaged the site.
• Bring binoculars - delicate stelae and architecture can be observed from cleared viewing platforms.
• Respect ongoing archaeological work; many trenches and restoration areas are fragile.