HispanicBusiness

One of Belize's largest Mayan pyramids, which survived more than two thousand years of environmental hazards, has been largely destroyed by heavy equipment belonging to a local construction company seeking gravel for road fill.

The head of the Belize Institute of Archaeology said the destruction was discovered late last week, and only a small portion of the centre of the pyramid mound was left standing.

"This is one of the worst that I have seen in my entire 25 years of archaeology in Belize," John Morris, an archaeologist with the Institute of Archaeology, told Channel 7 News in Belize. "We can't salvage what has happened out here -- it's an incredible display of ignorance. I am appalled and don't know what to say at this particular moment."

Jaime Awe, director of the Institute of Archaeology, said he was sickened by the destruction of the Noh Mul pyramid and temple platform, which date back about 2,500 years. He told Channel 7 News it was "intolerable."

The Noh Mul complex sits on private land, but Belizean law states any pre-Hispanic ruins are under government protection.

Morris said that the construction company must have been aware of the site's significance.

"There is absolutely no way that they would not know that these are Maya Mounds," he said.

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