Vandals Endanger Ancient Monuments in Belize

Dr. Melissa Badillo, Director of the Institute of Archaeology, warns that graffiti and damage to ancient monuments pose a serious threat to Belize’s cultural heritage. She says offenders face steep fines, but enforcing the law remains a challenge for site rangers. Despite these hurdles, new measures are being considered. Still, Dr. Badillo emphasizes that the best protection comes from all of us, visitors and Belizeans alike, taking responsibility to safeguard these irreplaceable treasures for future generations.

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo,  Director, Institute of Archeology

“ We want our kids to be able to go on site. And enjoy these sites. We want visitors to come in and learn about our ancient Maya heritage, learn about our culture, and be proud of the fact that we have these monuments standing representing who we are as Belizeans. Please, we want people to be responsible when they’re on site.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that some Belizeans and some visitors, they just don’t care.?”

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo

“That might be the case. Others maybe just want some attention. I don’t know what justification you can use for such a thing, but just the fact that somebody would think to d destroy and damage something that’s been there standing over thousands of years, it is very frustrating and disappointing really.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Is there like a sign in book where we can cross reference the name that part to the book?

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo

“We do have log book. Yes, we do have electronic tickets now where we can go back and look at it. We, like I said, we do have to go back to the table and look at how best we handle this type of situation. It may require more enforcement changes in policies, so one of the things that we have been also considering is maybe even closing off certain temples or restricting certain areas. Everything is on the table right now. And we will be looking out for the most reasonable solution that ensures that we protect these features.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“How much of a loss is it in terms of cultural loss with the graffiti there? And is there a value to the loss that we can put?”

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo

“We can’t really place a value on it right now, these things are priceless. So any damage that you do there really it, it makes it irreplaceable really.”