Excavator destroys 2,300-year-old Mayan pyramid under road construction

Jaime Awe, head of the Belize Institute of Archeology, confirmed on Tuesday (14) information that the Noh Mul temple was destroyed last week during road construction work.

The temple had been built in the pre-Columbian era and is estimated to have been about 2, 300 years old. However, Noh Mul was a small part of the pyramid that had remained intact over the years - yet the temple was considered one of the largest Mayan pyramids in the country.

Workers allege that they mistakenly destroyed the archaeological field by seeking gravel to fill holes in the road before it was paved. Police are investigating the case, but scholars say it was not the first time such incidents have occurred and workers were also aware of what they were doing.

"It is unbelievable that anyone actually had the nerve to destroy this building. There is absolutely no possibility that they did not know that these were Mayan hills, " says John Morris of the Belize Institute of Archeology.

Mayan buildings are located on private land; However, according to the country's legislation, all pre-Hispanic ruins must be under permanent government protection.