Xunantunich: Ancient Mayan City In Belize

Xunantunich is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in western Belize, about 70 miles west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. The site is situated on a high ridge overlooking the Mopan River, just one kilometre east of the Guatemalan border. The name Xunantunich means Maiden of the Rock or Stone Woman in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec. The site is easily accessible, with a free hand-cranked cable ferry taking visitors across the Mopan River.

Xunantunich is located in western Belize

The ancient Mayan archaeological site sits atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border, which is just one kilometre to the west. The river can be crossed via a free, hand-operated cable ferry. From the ferry, it's about a mile uphill to the site's parking lot and ticket office.

Xunantunich was occupied as early as 1000 BC, but it wasn't until the 7th century AD that the large architecture we see today began to be built. The site centres on Plazas A-2 and A-1, with the dominant El Castillo (Structure A-6) rising 130ft high at the south end of Plaza A-1.

Xunantunich is set within a tropical forest preserve with a compact core centre. The extent of the entire site has been determined to be about three square miles, though the core area is easily visited.

It is about 70-80 miles west of Belize City

Xunantunich is located about 70-80 miles west of Belize City in the Cayo District of Belize. It is a Classic Maya archaeological site, situated on a high ridge overlooking the Mopan River, which forms a natural border with Guatemala. The site is nestled within a tropical forest preserve and covers an area of about 3 square miles or 7 square kilometres.

To reach Xunantunich, one can take the Western Highway from Belize City or Orange Walk to San Ignacio. From there, it's about an 8-mile journey to San Jose Succotz, a small village across the river from the site. Visitors need to cross the river via a hand-cranked cable ferry, which offers a unique and whimsical experience. The site is easily accessible and makes for a fun and adventurous journey.

Xunantunich, also known as the "Maiden of the Rock" or "Stone Woman," has its origins in the Late Preclassic period (300 BCE-200 CE). It began to expand during the Early Classic period (200-600 CE) and grew in significance as a commercial centre due to its control over trade along the Mopan River and the adjoining valley. The site is believed to have been occupied by the Maya people as early as 1000 BC, but it was primarily a village until the 7th century AD when larger structures began to be built.

Xunantunich is characterised by its impressive architecture, including six plazas, more than two dozen palaces and temples, ball courts, and hundreds of mounds yet to be uncovered. The core of the city covers approximately one square mile and is constructed from limestone rock raised from the ridge upon which it sits. The surrounding area is comprised of fertile farmland that once contained villages divided into family groups, all of which were self-sufficient.

The site is named after a local legend of a man from San Jose Succotz who, in the 1890s, claimed to have seen a beautiful Maya woman dressed in traditional clothing standing in the mouth of a cave near El Castillo. Others have also reported similar sightings, but no one has been able to find the woman in the cavern. This legend adds to the allure and mystery of Xunantunich, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in archaeology, history, and local folklore.

The site is easily accessible by a hand-cranked ferry

The site of Xunantunich is easily accessible by a hand-cranked ferry, which takes visitors across the Mopan River to the site. The ferry is located in the village of San José Succotz, and it operates from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors can reach the ferry by bus or taxi, and it is a short distance (under a mile) from the ferry to the site, which is suitable for hiking for those in good physical condition. The road is well-paved but hilly and rising. Most visitors opt to take a taxi or tourist bus to the visitor centre and then stroll to the site complex.

The ferry itself is a unique and whimsical experience, carrying both people and vehicles across the river. It is free of charge, and the entrance fee to the site is also reasonably priced at 10 Belize dollars or 5 US dollars. The site is also accessible from Belize City or Orange Walk via the Western Highway to San Ignacio, and it is about eight miles from there to San Jose Succotz.

The hand-cranked ferry is just the beginning of the adventure, as the journey to Xunantunich offers stunning views and a fun experience. The site is well worth the trip, providing a glimpse into the ancient Maya world and offering a chance to explore impressive ruins and stunning natural surroundings.

The ancient city was occupied from around 1000 BC to AD 1000

The ancient city of Xunantunich was occupied from around 1000 BC to AD 1000, with the site first explored in the 1890s by British medical officer and district surgeon Thomas Gann.

The name Xunantunich, which means "Maiden of the Rock" or "Stone Woman" in the Maya languages Mopan and Yucatec, was inspired by a local legend. The legend tells of a man from the village of San Jose Succotz who went hunting near the site in the late 1800s. As the story goes, the man saw a beautiful, motionless Maya woman standing near the mouth of a cave. The woman, dressed in white with fire-red glowing eyes, is said to inhabit the site and has been seen by several people since.

Xunantunich is located in western Belize, about 70-80 miles (110-130 km) west of Belize City in the Cayo District. It sits atop a ridge above the Mopan River, within sight of the Guatemala border. The site served as a Maya civic and ceremonial centre during the Late and Terminal Classic periods, when the Belize Valley region was at its peak with a population of nearly 200,000 people.

Xunantunich's core city covers about one square mile (2.6 km2) and consists of six plazas surrounded by over 25 temples and palaces. The site is divided into four sections, with Group A being the most significant to the people of Xunantunich. The tallest structure, known as El Castillo, is the second tallest pre-Columbian building in Belize at 130 feet (40 m) tall. It is believed to have been built over the course of 2,000 years, from around 1200 BC to 900 AD.

Excavations at Xunantunich have revealed that the Maya people lived in the Belize region for centuries. The site has an ancient ball court where pok ta pok ball games were played, and there is evidence of trade and communication with other Maya sites.

Xunantunich's rise to prominence and influence over other areas within the valley occurred during a time when most Maya civilisations were in decline. However, around AD 1000, Xunantunich was abandoned.

The site has four main groups arranged around several plazas

The site of Xunantunich is divided into four main groups, each with its own distinct character and purpose. These groups are arranged around several plazas, creating a sense of organisation and symmetry within the site. Here is a more detailed description of each group:

Group A

Group A is considered the most important and significant section of the site. It serves as the ceremonial and civic heart of Xunantunich, with structures that were likely used for ritual purposes and administrative functions. The dominant feature of Group A is Structure A-6, also known as "El Castillo". This large pyramidal structure rises to a height of approximately 130 feet, making it the tallest structure at the site. Excavations have revealed that El Castillo underwent multiple construction phases, with the earliest dating back to around 400 BCE. The structure is adorned with elaborate stucco friezes that depict various Maya deities, including Chaac, the rain god.

Group B

Group B is located to the west of Plaza A-I and is believed to have been a residential area. It consists of nine small structures and is only partially excavated, leaving much to be discovered about the people who once lived there.

Group C

Group C is located south of El Castillo and is made up of two sub-groups: the Plazuela group, which was residential in nature, and a larger civic subgroup. This group includes several structures, such as C1-4 and C8, that served various purposes. Group C was likely abandoned as the city of Xunantunich declined in size after 900 AD, leaving it on the outskirts of the occupied area.

Group D

Group D is situated around a raised plaza and is believed to have been an elite residential area. It includes a palace-like structure, known as Structure D7, which features a wide stairway leading to a building with three linear entrances and several chambers. The main structure in this group is Structure D6, a pyramid crowned by two chambers thought to have been used as temple sanctuaries. Group D also contains a number of burial sites, providing valuable insights into the lives and deaths of the ancient inhabitants of Xunantunich.

Frequently asked questions