Caracol Conservation Gets A Financial Lifeline

Caracol has stood for centuries as one of Belize’s most powerful links to the ancient Maya world. But time, harsh weather and human activity continue to threaten the sprawling archaeological site. Now, the United States Embassy is investing more than four hundred thousand dollars to help preserve it. The funding will support critical stabilization and conservation work, while involving nearby communities in protecting Caracol for generations to come. News Five’s Shane Williams has the story.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

“Standing tall behind us is the magnificent Ka’ana Temple of the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. Researchers believe that in the Maya Classic period centuries ago, this area was home to over one hundred thousand residents. Last year alone, over twenty-five thousand tourists visited this compound. Unfortunately, the last project specifically dedicated to the preservation of the Caracol was over twenty years ago, the Tourism Development Project. Since then, the facility, the temples, have deteriorated. Luckily today, the Embassy of the United States handed over a check of over two hundred thousand US dollars to partner with the government of Belize to protect this facility from further deterioration.”

 

Director of the Institute of Archaeology, Dr. Melissa Badillo, says the project comes at a critical time. Recent road improvements have brought more visitors to Caracol, increasing the need to stabilize and preserve the historic site.

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo, Director, Institute of Archaeology

“We have some significant challenges here, especially with the Ka’ana complex. It’s been over twenty years that we’ve done any major conservation work and what we have is deteriorating surfaces, plant growth in areas in between the rocks, and so we’re seeing a lot of that after effects of those challenges. And so this gives us an opportunity to directly address those and to preserve Caracol so that we can have it for another twenty years or more into the future.”

 

United States Ambassador Andre Bauer has only been in Belize less than a month but already feels personally connected to the project, growing up with a father who served on South Carolina’s Board of Archives and History.

 

Andre Bauer, United States Ambassador to Belize

“To me it is essential for what makes Belize Belize to preserve these  sites. And so I’m so thankful that it was prioritized by both governments, not only America. But they came to the – Belize came to the table with almost the exact same amount that the US government did. From a young age it’s been important to me preservation of heritage. And so to see the US government partner with the Belizean government, I think it was a great demonstration or display of friendship, of preservation. We send more tourists here than any other country in the world, and so this is what people wanna see from the US.”

 

For Culture Minister Francis Fonseca, success means preserving Caracol so that generations of Belizeans can continue to explore and appreciate the ancient site.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“This project really, as Dr. Badillo pointed out, is really about ensuring that we stabilize this magnificent Maya temple that has been here for centuries to ensure that centuries from now, other Belizeans and visitors to our country will continue – will be able to continue to enjoy and really, you know, be inspired by what took place here thousands of years ago.”

 

Children from nearby San Antonio Village brought the celebration to life with traditional dances. But the event was about more than new funding for Caracol. It also recognized the communities that have protected the ancient city for generations and must now share in the benefits of its preservation.

 

Dr. Melissa Badillo

“A part of the project actually speaks to that component, having the community engaged, going out there, having them be a part of the conservation project, but also in documenting their stories, which will then be featured in an updated display within the visitors center.”

 

The Caracol Archaeological Reserve holds many secrets and lessons from the past that are yet to be discovered. Today’s donation is an investment in the hope that we will be able to find those answers tomorrow. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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