Ambergris Caye - Marco Gonzales Archaeological Site

Found on the southern end of Ambergris Caye, this Mayan site dates from the Pre-Classic era and was a sea-trading center. Dr Elizabeth Graham and Dr David Pendergast first recorded the site in 1984 and named it after their local guide, Marco Gonzales. Graham and Pendergast excavated the site, which is surrounded by dense jungle, from 1984 to1994 and excavations are still underway.

At least 49 structures and walls have been mapped to date and the site is littered with enormous amounts of broken pottery and conch shells. Unlike other Mayan sites, the structures seem to be low platforms or building foundations rather than pyramids. Some artifacts discovered here include jade and obsidian blades as well as grinding tools and pottery