MASK TEMPLE

The smallest temple in Lamanai, dating from the^{5th century} , but the most memorable is certainly the Mask Temple, featuring two large Mayan masks (the second of which was only unearthed in 2011) that stand symmetrically opposite each other on either side of the building. Simply sublime. Their hairstyles, which resemble the back of a crocodile, are a reference to the site's name, which means "crocodile under water". These masks have not been present since the temple was built around 200 B.C. They were added around A.D. 400.