Blue Creek (Belize)
Blue Creek is a riverine system and major archaeological site located in North-Western Belize, Central America. It is situated geographically on the Belize–Mexico border and then continues south across the Guatemala–Mexico border. The river is commonly known as the Río Azul or ‘Azul River’ in Spanish, which translates to ‘blue river’ or ‘blue creek’ in English.
Rio Azul | |
The ruins excavated at the Maya site 'Blue Creek' | |
Map of Belize featuring Blue Creek Village | |
| Location | Northwestern Belize, Central America |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 17°54′N 88°54′W |
| Part of | Orange Walk District |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Early pre-classic to late classic period |
It flows south-west as a tributary from its larger body known as the Río Hondo or ‘Hondo River’. Its unique lowland environment facilitated the agricultural and economic growth of an Ancient Maya Civilization and has been a source of attention over many years, for numerous specialized archaeologists. The site boundary stops short of the Bravo Escarpment, which is a naturally occurring cliff also located in North Western Belize.
A range of artifacts recovered from the site reveal that Blue Creek was inhabited by many ancient Maya communities from the middle pre-classic period to the late-classic period in Mesoamerican chronology.