Banana Bank Lodge is located in the Belize River Valley. To this day, this area of Belize is the productive sector. The Belize River courses through the heart of the most fertile land providing a means of transportation to both the upper and lower parts of Belize. This area not only had prime agriculture land, but was a commercial center. In settlements as early as perhaps 500 BC, located where Banana Bank is today, craftsmen were working. They produced the stone tools and ceremonial pieces seen in the display cases. They also produced pottery. Of the 4000 acres comprising Banana Bank, about 1000 acres are farmland. This activity has exposed dozens of house mounds and remains of market centers or temples.
Universities including New Mexico State, University of Illinois and University of New Hampshire have conducted extensive field studies, research and digs at Banana Bank. These digs have yielded volumes of information about the life and times of the Mayan people who occupied this area from around 500 BC forward. Most of the stone pieces in the museum were found on Banana Bank. The ceramic pieces have been donated by friends who no longer had a place to keep or display them.
All Mayan items in our display belong to the Belizean people and we are not allowed to sell or give away anything. The pieces are cataloged and registered with an identifying number by the Belize Archeology Department.
The museum is free of charge.
