NIM LI PUNIT
"Big Hat"

Important during the late Classic period, Nim Li Punit is known for its collection of stelae. In fact it is named after the big hat etched onto the largest stelae. Located on top of a ridge along the foothills of the Maya Mountains it has a view of the coastal plains that are east and south.

Important during the late Classic Period it may have had a special relationship with Lubaantun. Nim Li Punit’s interactions in southern Belize are unknown for the moment along with the presence of so many stelae.

The center of this city is made up of three distinctive groups; the ceremonial and two civic and elite residential. The ceremonial center consists of two main plazas. One is raised two meters higher than the other and it is in this one that a ball court and the 25 stelae are located. One of these stands 9 meters and so far is the largest stelae in Belize and one of the largest in the Mayan area. The largest structure is 12 meters high and a second one is only 3 meters high but 65 meters long. These were built using the dry masonry method so typical for this part of Belize.

Oil workers originally discovered the site in 1976 and excavation began in 1983 by Richard Leventhal. During the 1983 excavation part of another stelae, a royal tomb, and other artefacts were discovered.

Nim Li Punit is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Punta Gorda Town and a little over 10 kilometres away from Lubaantun. It is located off the southern highway and there is about a 15 minute walk to the site.