Holtun was officially discovered in February 1994, when the Guatemalan Instituto de Antropología e Historia (IDAEH - "Institute of Anthropology and History") was notified of the looting of a previously unknown site between Flores and Melchor de Mencos. IDAEH investigators are estimated to have arrived at the site between six and eight months after looting had started, during which time the major architecture at the site had been damaged.
Holtun was formally identified in February 1994, when the Guatemalan Institute of Anthropology and History (IDAEH) was informed about the theft of a previously undiscovered site between Flores and Melchor de Mencos. IDAEH investigators are estimated to have arrived at the site between six and eight months after looting had begun, during which time the main architecture at the site had been harmed.