Unveiling The Ancient Secrets: Exploring The Must-See Mayan Ruins In Belize

Belize is home to some of the most impressive and well-preserved Mayan ruins in the world. With more than 600 Mayan ruins across the country, it has the highest concentration of Maya temples in the world. The ancient Maya built impressive cities in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

- Caracol: Located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest Mayan site in Belize. It was once home to more than 140,000 people and features majestic temples, reservoirs, an astronomic observatory, and ball courts.

- Lamanai: Located in Orange Walk, Lamanai is one of the largest and longest-inhabited Mayan sites in Belize. The name means submerged crocodile in Maya, and the site features the Jaguar Temple, the High Temple, and the Mask Temple.

- Xunantunich: This site is located near San Ignacio and is surrounded by lush jungle. Visitors can cross the Mopan River on a hand-cranked ferry to reach the site, which features the impressive El Castillo pyramid.

- Cahal Pech: Located in San Ignacio, Cahal Pech is a small but informative site that offers insights into the earliest Maya settlers. It features several ruins, including temples, residential buildings, ball courts, and an altar.

- Altun Ha: Altun Ha is one of the best-restored Mayan ruins in Belize and is easily accessible from Belize City. It was a major ceremonial centre and features the famous Jade Head, the largest carved jade object from the Maya civilisation.

- Lubaantun: Located near San Pedro Columbia Village, Lubaantun is known for its unique construction using black slate blocks without mortar. It was a major centre for religious, ceremonial, political, and commercial activities, and the famous Crystal Skull was allegedly discovered here.

- Cerros: Cerros is the only Mayan site in Belize located on the coast. Some of the ruins are now underwater, but several structures and ball courts can still be explored.

- El Pilar: This site is still in the early stages of excavation and offers a glimpse of what Maya sites look like before they are unearthed. It is located on the border of Belize and Guatemala and features several pyramids, plazas, and residential structures.

Caracol: The largest Mayan site in Belize, located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve

Caracol, meaning "snail" or "shell" in Mayan, is located in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve in western Belize, around 25 miles south of the town of San Ignacio. The site was first discovered in 1937 by a native logger named Rosa Mai, who reported it to the archaeological commissioner, A. Hamilton Anderson.

Caracol is the largest Mayan site in Belize, covering an area of nearly 25,000 acres. It was once home to 150,000 people, with some estimates placing the number as high as 180,000, making it larger in population and area than present-day Belize City. The site boasts over 35,000 structures, including the tallest man-made building in Belize, the Caana pyramid, or "Sky Palace," which rises 141 feet above the jungle floor.

The city of Caracol was occupied as early as 1200 BC and was abandoned around AD 900. It played a significant role in Mayan history, serving as a major political centre and showcasing advanced agricultural systems. The site consists of three plaza groups surrounding a central acropolis and two ball courts, along with numerous smaller structures. Over 100 tombs and a rich array of hieroglyphic inscriptions have been discovered, providing valuable insights into Mayan culture and history.

Today, Caracol is one of the most pristine and well-preserved Mayan sites in Belize. Many of its structures have been excavated and stabilised, allowing visitors to climb and explore. The site offers a unique glimpse into the past, with its immense agricultural field system and elaborate city planning. Visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding jungle from the top of the Caana pyramid.

The Belizean government has plans to pave the road leading to Caracol, which is currently a long and bumpy drive. This development is expected to increase accessibility and may lead to the creation of a causeway connecting the site's epicenter to residential groups and terracing structures. As Caracol becomes more accessible, it is likely to see an increase in tourism, with larger tour groups and additional facilities being developed.

Lamanai: A major city and one of the longest-occupied Mayan cities, located in Orange Walk

Lamanai, located in the Orange Walk District of Belize, is one of the country's largest Maya ceremonial centres. The name, Lamanai, comes from the Yucatec Maya word Lam'an'ain, meaning "submerged crocodile". This is fitting, as the nearby New River Lagoon is home to many crocodiles.

Lamanai is unique among Mayan ruins because it is situated close to a body of water. It is also one of the longest-occupied Mayan cities, with a settlement period spanning from the 16th century BC to the 17th century AD. This means that Lamanai remained occupied long after the Mayan civilisation declined around 900 AD, and even after the Spanish conquest.

The site became prominent during the Pre-Classic Period, from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD. In 625 AD, a stela was erected there in the Yucatec language of the Maya.

Lamanai is accessible by boat from Orange Walk Town, or by dirt road through the Mennonite area of Shipyard. The site features a small museum, as well as tourist facilities and shops.

Jaguar Temple

Also known as Structure N10-9, the Jaguar Temple is an Early Classic temple that is part of a complex of residential buildings. The temple is famous for its boxy jaguar face shape, with jaguar masks on each side of the lower platform stairway. The central stairway of the pyramid leads to a terrace that houses a large, two-chambered, rectangular structure. Several modifications to the temple indicate the long occupation of the site by the Maya.

Mask Temple

The Mask Temple, or Structure N9-56, is adorned with two 13-foot-tall limestone masks of an ancient Maya king. The temple showcases the high artistry of the Mayas during the Middle and Late Classic periods, between 200 BC and 1300 AD. The temple features two tombs, and a substructure dating to c.200 BCE that also contains stucco masks.

High Temple

The High Temple, or Structure N10-43, is the tallest temple at Lamanai, rising 125 feet above the jungle canopy. The structure was likely used for ceremonial purposes, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area from its summit. Construction of the High Temple began as early as 100 BC, and excavations indicate that it was built in layers, with successive populations building upon the temples of their ancestors.

Xunantunich: A Maya archaeological site located on the Mopan River in southern Belize

Xunantunich is an ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize, located on the Mopan River in the Cayo District, about 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City. The site served as a Maya civic ceremonial centre to the Belize Valley region in the Late and Terminal Classic periods.

The name Xunantunich means "Maiden of the Rock" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec, combining "Xunaan" (noble lady) and "Tuunich" (stone for sculpture). The "Stone Woman" refers to a local legend about a ghost, dressed completely in white with fire-red glowing eyes, who is said to inhabit the site.

Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border, which is only 0.6 miles (1 km) to the west. The site is relatively small, with a core that occupies about one square mile (2.6 km2). It consists of a series of six plazas surrounded by more than 26 temples and palaces. The most prominent structure is Group A, which is dominated by the 40-metre-tall (130-foot-tall) Structure A6, also known as "El Castillo". El Castillo is the second tallest structure in Belize and served as a dwelling, shrine, and administrative hub for the elite rulers. The eastern and western summits of El Castillo feature large stucco friezes with carved elements that represent astronomical symbols, the sun god, moon, and Venus.

Excavations at Xunantunich have uncovered a rich history and provided valuable insights into the Maya civilisation. The site is believed to have been settled as early as the ceramic phase of the Preclassic period, but it rose to prominence between AD 700 and 1000. During this time, while other cities in the region were in decline, Xunantunich experienced rapid growth and expansion. A stela at the site, depicting the emblem glyph of the large Peten city of Naranjo in modern-day Guatemala, suggests that Xunantunich may have been a satellite of this city. As Naranjo's authority waned, the local elite at Xunantunich may have asserted control and expended significant efforts to develop the city.

Xunantunich is a popular tourist destination and can be easily accessed from the Western Highway. Visitors can take a hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River and then hike or drive up to the site. The reserve has restrooms, picnic areas, and gift shops, and accommodation is available nearby. Guided tours are also offered, providing informative context about the site and its relation to other Mayan sites in the region.

Cahal Pech: A small site located on top of a steep hill, overlooking the Macal River, settled around 1200 BC

Cahal Pech is a small Mayan site located on a steep hill, overlooking the Macal River in Belize. Settled around 1200 BC, it is one of the oldest recognisable Maya sites in Western Belize. The site is a collection of 34 structures, with the tallest temple reaching a height of about 25 metres. It is believed to have been a palatial, hilltop home for an elite Maya family.

Cahal Pech is situated near the town of San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize. The site is strategically positioned, offering a panoramic view of the confluence of the Macal River and the Mopan River. The hilltop location also provides stunning vistas of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Cahal Pech has been a valuable source of information about the Preclassic period, offering insights into the lives of the earliest Maya settlers. The site was first settled around 1200 BC and was abandoned between 800 and 900 AD, along with many other Mayan cities. The primary excavation of Cahal Pech began in 1988, and restoration was completed in 2000 under the leadership of Dr Jaime Awe.

Today, Cahal Pech is an archaeological reserve, featuring a small museum that displays artefacts from various ongoing excavations. Visitors can explore the site, which includes two ball courts and several dozen structures that can be climbed or entered. The site is easily accessible, located just a short walk from the town centre of San Ignacio.

Altun Ha: One of the best-restored Mayan ruins in Belize, located near Belize City

Belize is home to some of the most impressive Mayan ruins in the world, with over 600 sites across the country. One of the best-restored sites is Altun Ha, located about 31 miles (50 kilometres) north of Belize City. Here's what you need to know about this ancient Maya city:

History and Exploration

Altun Ha was first inhabited during the Pre-Classic Period, from around 1000 B.C. to 200 A.D. The earliest monumental constructions date back to approximately 100 B.C., with most structures dating to the Early Classic Period (200-600 A.D.). The site was likely a major trading centre, linking the Caribbean coast with Maya centres in the interior. It was also a ceremonial site, as evidenced by the discovery of several elite burials and a large number of jade artefacts.

Altun Ha came to the attention of archaeologists in 1957, with more extensive excavations taking place in the 1960s and 1970s. The site covers an area of about 8 square kilometres (3.1 square miles) and consists of two main plazas surrounded by over a dozen temples, pyramids, and residential structures.

The Jade Head

One of the most significant discoveries at Altun Ha was the Jade Head, a 6-inch (14.9 cm) carving of the Maya sun god, "Kinich Ahau". Weighing almost 10 pounds (4.42 kilograms), it is the largest carved jade object ever found in the Maya region. The jade used to create this artefact was imported from ancient mines in eastern Guatemala. A replica of the Jade Head is on display at the Central Bank of Belize, and its likeness can be found on Belizean currency.

Other Artefacts and Features

In addition to the Jade Head, Altun Ha has yielded a wealth of other artefacts, including ceramic bowls, shell beads, jadeite jewellery, pearls, and more. The site also features a large reservoir constructed by the Maya and lined with clay to hold water.

Visiting Altun Ha

Altun Ha is easily accessible for tourists, located just an hour's drive north of Belize City. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an entrance fee of $5 USD or $10 BZD. Visitors can explore the partially restored core area, which covers about 5 square miles of the site. The surrounding landscape is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including over 200 species of birds.

So, if you're looking for a well-preserved, easily accessible Mayan ruin in Belize, Altun Ha is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

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