Lubaantun Archaeological Reserve

Lubaantun is a pre-Columbian ruined city of the Maya civilization in southern Belize, Central America [1]. Lubaantun is in Belize's Toledo District, about 42 kilometres northwest of Punta Gorda, and approximately 3.2 kilometres from the village of San Pedro Columbia [1]. One of the most distinguishing features of Lubaantun is the large collection of miniature ceramic objects found on site; these detailed constructs are thought to have been charmstones or ritual-accompanying accoutrements [1]. The city dates from the Maya Classic era, flourishing from the AD 730s to the 890s, and seems to have been completely abandoned soon after [1]. Lubaantun's structures are mostly built of large stone blocks laid with no mortar, primarily black slate rather than the limestone typical of the region [1]. The ancient name of the site is currently unknown; "Lubaantun" is a modern Maya name meaning "place of fallen stones" [1]. Dr. Thomas Gann came to investigate the site in 1903, and published two reports about the ruins in 1905 [1].