ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND CONSOLIDATION OF STRUCTURES N10-36 THROUGH N10-43 AT LAMANAI, BELIZE

As one of the most important and highly visited archaeological sites of Belize, Lamanai presents ongoing challenges in terms of preservation and archæotourism. The 2022–2023 Lamanai Conservation and Preservation Project (LCPP), undertaken by the Belize Institute of Archaeology and funded by the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, addressed these concerns through an integrated program of excavation, stabilization, and conservation. The project focused on the High Temple Plaza, targeting Structures N10-36, N10-37, N10-38, and N10-42, with particular emphasis on the High Temple itself (Structure N10-43)—Lamanai’s tallest and most iconic structure. Conservation efforts aimed to mitigate deterioration caused by environmental factors, looting, earlier excavations, and the impact of tourism. This paper presents the results of these efforts, providing overviews of the architecture, construction history, and conservation strategies employed. The findings underscore the project’s dual role in advancing archaeological research and safeguarding Lamanai’s legacy of for posterity.