A Classic Maya center on the Mopan River in western Belize, allied with and at times dominated by the larger polity of Naranjo; Xunantunich is dominated by El Castillo, the second-tallest ancient structure in Belize, built and remodeled during the site's Terminal Classic apex.
Xunantunich grew significantly in the Samal phase (c. 600-670) and boomed architecturally in the Hats' Chaak phase (670-750), was abandoned after a violent event around 750, revived as a regional presence in the Tsak' phase (780-890), and finally collapsed at the end of the Classic period — evidence at Structures A-6 (El Castillo) and A-11 suggests the end was sudden, possibly hastened by an earthquake.
Reassessment of Xunantunich's site plan, chronology, and political history by a lead excavator of the site; verified on Open Library.