Ruins of 4 Mayan Towns Found in Belize

WASHINGTON —  The ruins of four towns built by the Mayans have been found in a tropical rain forest in Belize. At least two appear to have been untouched by looters since they were abandoned more than 1,000 years ago.

Peter S. Dunham, a Cleveland State University archeologist, said he and his party arrived at one of the ancient towns shortly after looters had been there.

“After passing more than a millennium undisturbed in the rain forest, it was looted only four days before we arrived,” he said.

Dunham said the four ruins appeared to have been towns of 1,000 to 2,500 in population that probably were last used in AD 700 to 900. The expedition, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, will return to the area during the dry season next year to complete a three-year survey.

Mayan civilization began in Central America about 1000 BC and continued until the arrival of Europeans in the 1500s.

At one point in their history, the Mayans built large cities and crafted artwork that rivaled that of the ancient eras in Asia and Africa. They developed mathematics and studied astronomy and developed extensive trade throughout Central America and Mexico.