Santa Rita

Santa Rita is a Maya ruin and an archaeological reserve on the outskirts of Corozal [1]. Historical evidence suggests that it was probably the ancient and important Maya city known as Chetumal [1]. Evidence excavated at Santa Rita exhibits a long history of inhabitance [1]. Because of its location, the city at Santa Rita once controlled nearby trade routes between the coast and the mouths of two major rivers, the Río Hondo and Río Nuevo [1]. These rivers served as major arteries of trade to centres in the interior such as Lamanai and those in El Petén [1]. Because of this, it became the dominant settlement in the Chetumal region during the early Classic period [1].