Overview:

: Nim Li Punit is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in Toledo District of Belize. It is noted for its ball court and carved monuments. The site dates from approximately 600 - 800 AD and was occupied by two distinct cultures during this time. The first phase of construction coincided with the Classic Maya occupation, and the second phase relates to the Putun Maya who lived in the area in Late Postclassic times (1000 - 1525 AD). The Putun were known for their mastery of long-distance sea travel, which facilitated their trading activities along the Central American coast. The ball court at Nim Li Punit is one of the most impressive in the region - measuring over 144 metres in length and featuring intricate raised-relief circles, squares and rectangles. It is thought to have been used for a ballgame known as pok-ta-pok, which was a popular spectator sport amongst the Maya. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

Nim Li Punit is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in the Toledo district of Belize. It is located about seven miles south of San Antonio. The site is primarily noted for its numerous stelae and the freestanding ball court. The carved stelae include a variety of figures, such as nobles, rulers, and gods. The main feature of the site is the ball court, which is the second largest in Belize and one of the largest constructions at the site. The court is 140 feet long and has walls that are eleven feet high. The walls have carvings of two masks, which are thought to represent Maya deities. The games played in the court were thought to be used to settle disputes or to determine the strength of a side. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Nim Li Punit is an archaeological site located in southern Belize, containing the ruins of an ancient Mayan city. It is most famous for its large ball court with two 6 meter long carved stone plaques bearing hieroglyphics. These plaques are considered by many to be the oldest known hieroglyphic inscriptions in Belize. The site was first settled c. 200 BC by the Preclassic Lowland Maya inhabitants of the region. It is believed to have reached its peak between 500-700 AD. The city was abandoned by about 1000 AD. The ball court is located in the south-east corner of Nim Li Punit, and is connected to the main plaza. It is shaped like an I and is oriented in a north-east/south-west direction. The court itself is delimited by 2 parallel low stone walls, and two higher structures which create a roofed playing field in the middle. The court is flanked on each side by a steep staircase, which was used by players to enter the court and retrieve the ball. It is unknown when the court was first built, but it is believed to be one of the earliest in use among the Maya culture. It has been speculated by some archaeologists that the large stone slabs with hieroglyphs may have been markers for teams which participated in events at the court. Nim Li Punit ball court is an archaeological site of great importance in the history of Belize. It is one of the earliest Mayan ball courts in existence, and its unique hieroglyphic inscriptions are a valuable reflection of the writing system of the ancient Mayans. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Nim Li Punit Ball Court, located on the outskirts of Belize, is one of the largest ancient Mayan courts you'll find. The playing area measures an impressive 100 feet long and 35 feet wide. 2. The really unique thing about this court is that the court has three doorways and each doorway is sculpted shaped by rattlesnakes. It's believed that these structures served as one of the entrances for the players to get onto the court for matches. 3. The Mayan civilization viewed the playing of the ball game as a ritual full of spiritual and religious significance. It was a game that was used to settle disputes between two settlements or parties. It was also sometimes a game that was played between the gods themselves. 4. The game of the ball was played by two teams of players who needed to use their elbows, hips and knees to get the ball through the stone hoops. The team that managed to get the ball into the stone hoops in the most creative way was declared the victors. 5. One of the interesting things about the Nim Li Punit Ball Court is that its walls are decorated with relief of ballplayers, masks, and superhuman figures. This is believed to symbolize the spiritual significance of the ball game. 6. The name Nim Li Punit actually stands for "The Big Hat," which is the name of a city that once existed in the area and is believed to have been ruled by a man who wore a very large hat. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.