Lubaantun, meaning “Place of Fallen Stones,” is a unique and mysterious Maya site located in the Toledo District of southern Belize. It is best known for its distinct construction style—buildings made of large, tightly packed stone blocks without mortar. This unusual method has puzzled archaeologists for decades.

The site dates from the Late Classic period (AD 730–890) and served as a ceremonial and administrative center. It includes 11 major structures, five plazas, and several ball courts, all perched on a ridge overlooking the Columbia River Valley. Lubaantun is notable for the absence of carved stelae or inscriptions, a rarity among major Maya centers.

Lubaantun gained fame in the 1920s when a young British explorer claimed to have found the now-infamous “Crystal Skull” here—an intricately carved quartz skull whose authenticity and origin remain topics of debate and legend.

Surrounded by dense rainforest, the site offers a peaceful, almost mystical atmosphere. The compact layout and elevated platforms create natural stages for performances and rituals, and visitors often comment on the remarkable acoustics of the site’s plazas.