Noh Mul Mayan Temple-tallest building in Northern Belize, bulldozed by private company for roadfill.

[DonRedwood]

Belize's version of the Koch Brothers? I'm sickened to read of this. The man deserves life in prison for the destruction of a national treasure.

NO MORE NOH MUL? CONTRACTOR BULLDOZES MAYAN TEMPLE

A major Mayan Monument had been bulldozed for roadfill aggregate. 7news went to Orange Walk District, near the northern district boundary to find out that Noh Mul – or at least a large part of it – is no more. Jules Vasquez reports.

Noh Mul. it’s name means the Big Hill but it’s not so big any more, this once towering and stout ceremonial center in San Jose/San Pablo has been whittled down to a narrow core by excavators and bulldozers. Whodunnit? Contractors who’re using the rich gravel and limestone content to fill roads in nearby Douglas Village.

Now, this was the main temple, the ceremonial centre for Noh Mul, at about 20 metres among the tallest buildings in Northern Belize – and it’s not centuries old, it’s millennia, thousands of years old and the thought that it’s rich limestone bricks cut with stone tools in the BC era, the thought that this could be used for road fill is a manifest outrage and a particularly painful one for these Archeologists who were called out to the area today. We were there when they first arrived and got their initial emotional reaction:
“This is one of the largest building in Northern Belize. I am appalled! I was hoping that when I was driving up from the main San Juan road that it would not be this one but when I got closer I couldn’t believe it when I saw all the trucks. This is an incredible destruction.” said Dr. Allan Moore – Archaeologist, Institute of Archaeology

More at: http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/05/2013/no-more-noh-mul-contractor-bulldozes-mayan-temple

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Belize is a former British colony

Not Mexico.

That said, agreed...prison

[DonRedwood]

4. I need to hire a copy editor :o)

Thanks

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. The geography can sneak on you

[Habibi]

2. I'm going to fucking barf.

Where the hell is the barf smilie?

[DonRedwood]

5. Allow me

[ManiacJoe]

3. Is this picture the correct one or from the same place?

Seems not based on other pics showing the excavators.

[DonRedwood]

6. it is the one from the article

[ManiacJoe]

9. And borrowed from a blog.

Thus my question.

[yawnmaster]

11. It isn't from the arch. site, it is somewhere else...see my post down below. eom

[Ilsa]

8. The CEO's body needs to be used for worm food. nt

[yawnmaster]

10. the pic in the op is not the structure that was destroyed...

The area has many ancient mounds and it was one of these that was destroyed, one of the larger ones.
The pic of the op is apparently from a temple in Belize, maybe near this one...it looks like it comes from a personal site, I don't know, but it isn't the mound that was destroyed.
The mounds are often overgrown with grass, trees, etc, but still have archaeological significance.
Here is a better article, with pics...
http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=25471
Still appalling.

[ManiacJoe]

14. Much better! Thanks.

[DonRedwood]

16. thank you for all the info!

[xchrom]

12. Proving that there are still too many idiots. Nt

[HeiressofBickworth]

13. This is a prime example of predatory capitalism

Here's how it worked (I'm guessing, but probably not far off): The builder got a contract to build a road which included labor and materials plus a profit margin. So, to increase the profit margin, either the builder had to not pay the workers or get the materials for free. Given the proximity of the monument, the capitalistic answer was simple. Take gravel and limestone for free. Next would be to reduce the amount paid to workers, or not pay them at all. Instant increase in profit. Damn near 100% increase. It makes me sick.

[sakabatou]

15. Hopefully people will be arrested