Indian Creek, Toledo, Belize — Central America

The Royal Residence

Structure 7

Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2024

1. The Royal Residence Marker

Inscription. Structure 7, thought to be the royal residence of Nim Li Punit was built sometime before about A.D. 400 and was occupied until about A.D. 800. Two remarkable discoveries were made while excavating the royal residence. The first of these is Tomb 4, dated to approximately A.D. 400 contained three vases that show connections with distant Teotihuacan in central Mexico.

A second tomb was discovered in 2015 and is one of the most spectacular finds in southern Belize. It is called a "tomb" based on its architectural form, but it is not clear that it ever held a complete body. Tomb 5 dates to about A.D. 800. In it were found a number of ceramic vessels, a large chert eccentric, jade ornaments and the Nim Li Punit wind jewel.

Erected by Institute of Archaeology National Institute of Culture and History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 2015.

Location. 16° 19.24′ N, 88° 49.505′ W. Marker is in Indian Creek, Toledo. It is on Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins

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Road 0.4 kilometers north of Southern Highway. The marker is located in the Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins and there is a small fee to visit. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

Central America,

Mesoamerica,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

a Spanish colony,

and specifically a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tomb #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); E-Group (within shouting distance of this marker); Ball Court (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Ball Court (approx. 14.9 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Nim Li Punit. The Mayan Ruins Website

Nim Li Punit is a small, yet important archaeological zone located in the south of Belize. It is a modern name meaning “Big Hat” in Kekchi Maya after an image of a ruler depicted on a stela recovered from the site. Its original name has yet to be deciphered.

The site is centered upon the leveled summits of small hills within
Photographed by James Hulse, January 29, 2024

2. The Royal Residence and Marker
a richly diverse tropical forest situated in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. It was established to exploit the areas natural resources and to take advantage of the extensive trade network that existed in the region. It is situated 9 miles/15 kms northeast of, and was contemporaneous with, the Maya site of Lubaantun which was the main political/economic center in the region. The population has been estimated between 5,000 to 7,000 individuals.

(Submitted on February 3, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.