Noh Mul Update: Belize Government Launches Investigation Of Maya Pyramid's Destruction

This story is everywhere on the news this morning. The latest: from the Jamaica Observer comes this report that, at the order of the government, Belizean Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the almost total destruction of the 60-m tall pyramid at Noh Mul in the north of that country.

Notes the Observer 

A government statement said that “this total disregard for Belize’s cultural heritage and national patrimony is callous, ignorant and unforgivable” adding that a “vigorous investigation has been launched to determine all the facts in this case”.

The Observer story continues

The government said that cultural landmarks, such as Noh Mul, should be protected at all cost and that “this expressed disdain for our laws and policies is incomprehensible”.

Jaime Awe, Belize's chief archaeologist, told reporters that the penalty for these actions is 10 years in prison, or a US$5,000 fine, or both. 

Let's wish them well in their hunt for clues. Let's also hope that there's no such thing as corruption in Belize's government, or police force, or construction business, or the big digger machine thing operators.

On second thought. Let's just show our support and hope for the best! What follows are my thoughts as to the punishment that these guys should really get. It's teachable moment time.

The Stocks

The Pillory

The Subversive Archaeologist says that the stocks are too good for these pot-hunting slime balls.  The pillory, too. I vote for a reinstatement of the Tribunal del Santo Oficio de la Inquisición [i.e. the Spanish Inquisition]. 

Thanks for your support. TTFN

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