Evidence excavated at Santa Rita exhibits a long history of inhabitance.[2] The discovery of a burial site containing very early pottery has dated the formation of the city between 2000 and 1200 BCE.[2][3] Its importance peaked during the Postclassic era, and continued to be occupied even after the arrived of the Spanish.[2]

Because of its location, the city at Santa Rita once controlled nearby trade routes between the coast and the mouths of two major rivers, the Río Hondo and Río Nuevo. These rivers served as major arteries of trade to centres in the interior such as Lamanai and those in El Petén.[2] Because of this, it became the dominant settlement in the Chetumal region during the early Classic period.[2]

After a short decline during the Late Classic period, Santa Rita once again rose to prominence. Following the decline of Classic sites to the north, Chactemal (also known as Chetumal in some sources) became the capital of the Chetumal Province, one of the 19 Mayan states later recorded by the invading Spanish.[2] Chetumal formed part of the confederation of states under the Cocom dynasty of Mayapán. It remained under this alliance until 1441, when Mayapán supremacy was overthrown by an uprising.[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rita,_Corozal