Stucco Mask: Belize's Ancient Mystery

Belize is home to a plethora of Mayan ruins, but one of the most notable is the Temple of the Masks at Kohunlich. This archaeological site, located on the Yucatán Peninsula, boasts a pyramid adorned with impressive stucco masks. The temple, built around 500 AD, features a central stairway flanked by large stucco masks, each standing at 6-8 feet tall. The masks depict humanized figures of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau, one of the most important deities in Mayan culture.

Another ruin in Belize that features stucco masks is the Temple of the Masks at Lamanai. This site, situated along the New River Lagoon, includes a pair of striking 13-foot-tall limestone masks with crocodile headdresses. Lamanai, which means submerged crocodile, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited archaeological zones in the Mayan world and offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilisation.

The Temple of the Masks at Kohunlich is one of the oldest structures at the site, dating back to 500 AD

The Temple of the Masks is an Early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by huge stucco masks. The temple was built to honour the sun god, with the original eight stucco masks (five remain today) representing the rulers of Kohunlich as the Maya Sun God, "Kinich Ahau". The temple was constructed around 500 AD, with the masks themselves showing remnants of their original colours. The masks are remarkably well-preserved due to the construction of a later temple over them, which protected them. The temple is now covered and protected by two large thatched roofs.

The city of Kohunlich was settled by 200 BC, but most structures were built between 250 and 600 AD. The site was discovered in the early 1900s by an American archaeologist and then re-discovered in 1968 by a group of villagers. Archaeologists began excavations in 1969, but two-thirds of the area remains buried. The early 6th-century inhabitants of Kohunlich built this ancient city and abandoned it in the 12th century. The site served religious, administrative, and residential purposes, with the remaining structures surrounded by lush rainforest.

The stucco masks at Kohunlich are flanked by a central stairway and protected by a later temple built over them

The Temple of the Masks at Kohunlich, Belize, is an archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilisation. The site covers about 21 acres and contains almost 200 mounds, most of which remain unexcavated. The city was settled by 200 BC, but most of the structures were built between 250 and 600 AD. The Temple of the Masks is one of the oldest constructions at Kohunlich, built around 500 AD.

The temple is a pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by huge stucco masks. The masks are humanised and adorned with thatch protection. Originally, there were eight masks, but only five remain, with three having been looted. The remaining masks are remarkably well-preserved due to the construction of a later temple over them, which covered the original temple after 700 AD. The later temple's remaining features include some steps in the lower portion of the stairway.

The Temple of the Masks was built in honour of the sun god, with the rulers of Kohunlich represented in the form of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau. The stucco masks are flanked by a central stairway and protected by the later temple built over them, with the entire site surrounded by dense sub-tropical rainforest.

The Temple of the Masks at Lamanai features a pair of 13-foot-tall limestone masks crowned with crocodile headdresses

The Temple of the Masks, officially known as Lamanai Structure N9-56, is a Maya civilisation structure in present-day Orange Walk District, Belize. The temple is the smallest of three excavated pre-Columbian temples at Lamanai, the other two being the Jaguar Temple and the High Temple.

The Temple of the Masks features a pair of 13-foot-tall limestone masks crowned with crocodile headdresses. The masks are thought to represent one of Lamanai's early rulers, and the crocodile headdress supports the idea that the city was called Lamanai, which translates to "submerged crocodile". The temple was constructed from the 5th to the 9th century CE, the classical Maya period. The structure was built over several phases, with the earliest phase of construction dating from approximately 200 BC to 200 AD, and the temple was modified until around 1300 AD. The large carved masks were built during this early phase of construction. The masks are unusual for this period, as they are made from carved limestone rather than moulded stucco, which was more common for large pieces. The Olmec influence is evident in the masks' rubbery lips with an upturned top lip and a broad "African" nose.

The Temple of the Masks at Lamanai was likely used as a mortuary temple, with two burials found beneath the structure, dating to around the same time as the founding of the cities of Copan and Quirigua. The male burial contained a large number of jade artefacts, indicating a possible trade network with these cities or their surrounding regions. The temple continued to be used throughout the Classic Period, as evidenced by the types of pottery deposited during sacred rituals, including distinctive Mayapan-influenced censers used to burn incense.

The masks at the Temple of the Masks were well-preserved due to the later generations building a wall around them to hide and protect them. However, the original limestone masks are now at risk of erosion from prolonged exposure to weathering and chemicals from sunscreen and oils from hands. To protect them, fiberglass replicas have been placed over the masks.

The Temple of the Masks at Lamanai has two tombs, one containing a male occupant and the other a female occupant, both surrounded by jade and shell artefacts

The Temple of the Masks, officially known as Lamanai Structure N9-56, is a Maya structure located in present-day Orange Walk District, Belize. It is the smallest of three excavated pre-Columbian temples at Lamanai, with construction likely beginning around 200 BC and continuing until around 1300 AD. The temple features two 13-foot-tall masks made from limestone, which are adorned with crocodile headdresses. These masks are a later addition, dating to around 400 AD. The temple was modified and rebuilt over the centuries, with the latest phase being a mortuary temple constructed in the mid-5th century.

Beneath the Temple of the Masks lie two burials, one male and one female. The male burial contained a significant number of jade artefacts, indicating a possible trade network with nearby regions. Both tombs also contained shell artefacts and were likely the final resting places of two of Lamanai's rulers. The presence of these tombs, along with the temple's name and symbolism, suggest that the structure served a mortuary or ceremonial purpose.

The Temple of the Masks is just one of over 600 Mayan sites in Belize, which offer valuable insights into the ancient Maya civilisation. Lamanai itself was occupied for over 3000 years and features other notable structures such as the Jaguar Temple and the High Temple.

While the Temple of the Masks at Lamanai has revealed fascinating insights into Maya burial practices and trade networks, it is just one of many ruins in Belize that tell the story of this ancient civilisation. The country is renowned for the number and variety of its Mayan ruins, offering a wealth of information for archaeologists and historians alike.

The Temple of the Masks at Cerros has stucco masks that represent the sunrise, sunset, morning star, and evening star

The Temple of the Masks at Cerros is one of the most fascinating Mayan ruins in Belize. This seaside archaeological site offers a unique experience as it is the only Mayan ruin in Belize located along the coast. While rising sea levels have submerged several structures at Cerros, there are still some fascinating remains of this long-inhabited beachfront city to explore.

One of the most notable features of Cerros is the Temple of the Masks, designated Str. 5C2nd. This temple is characterised by its stucco masks, which represent the sunrise, sunset, morning star, and evening star. The stucco masks are a remarkable example of Mayan art and symbolism. According to legend, the ruler of Cerros would stand at the centre of the temple during rituals, symbolising their role as the nucleus of the cosmos and the holder of the world's power.

The Temple of the Masks is not the only impressive feature of Cerros. Visitors can also climb the 72-foot-tall funerary building to get a panoramic view of the Bay of Chetumal and the town of Corozal. In addition, Cerros boasts an extensive canal system and several stucco-facade buildings and plazas.

To access this ancient site, visitors can take a short boat ride from the seaside town of Corozal or hire a car from Orange Walk, Belize City, or Belmopan. It is important to note that insect repellent is highly recommended when visiting Cerros to protect against bug bites.

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