Belize

La Milpa

Ancient Maya city and monumental plaza in Belize

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

La Milpa is an archaeological site and an ancient Maya city within the Three River region of Northwest Belize bordering Mexico and Guatemala. La Milpa is located between the sites of Rio Azul and Lamanai. Currently, La Milpa lies within the nature preserve owned by the Programme for Belize, a non-profit organization. PfB acquired land for the preserve from the Coco-Cola Company, who purchased land in Belize in 1988 with the goals of tearing down the rainforest to create a citrus plantation, however donated the land to Conservation and Management Project in 1990 and 1992. Following Caracol and Lamanai, La Milpa is the third largest site in Belize with the Main Plaza alone covering 18,000 square meters, making it one of the largest in the entire Maya region.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Stela 7 Long Count date

November 30, 780

Late Preclassic/Early Classic occupation

400 BC–AD 500

Middle Classic decline

AD 550–700

Late/Terminal Classic revival

AD 700–850

Discovery by J. Eric S. Thompson

March 1938

1979 survey confirming looting

1979

1985 revisit confirming looting and illicit fields

1985

Coca-Cola land purchase

1988

Rio Bravo and PfB investigations

1988

Guderjan mapping season

February 1990

Land donations to conservation

1990 and 1992

LaMAP excavations begin

February 1992

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Water Management Features

Reservoirs
category

Public and Civic Structures

Plazas
category

Burial and Funerary Structures

PyramidsTombsGraves
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesStelaeAltars
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

MonumentsInscriptions
category

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Terraces
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesCourtyards
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Landscaped Earthworks
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Belize

Coordinates

17.78° N, -88.95° E