Belize has much to offer with water adventures to the East, dense jungle life in the West, Northern wet lands, Southern mountain ranges and thousand of years of Mayan legends and culture in every direction.
The ancient Mayan were an advanced people that numbered a million. Civilizations that were constructed over 2,000 years ago, stretched from Mexico to Panama, with Belize being the pinnacle of the Mayan world. With magnificent cities and ceremonial centers, they observed the movements of the solar system, developed complex calendars, cycled their agriculture, had strong religious beliefs, political powers and invented the concept of zero. The Mayan realm endured longer then the Roman Empire and suddenly it mysteriously disappeared……
Altun Ha
Altun Ha means “Stone Water” in ancient Mayan dialect. The name comes from the Maya reservoir that Belizeans call “Rock Stone Pond.” The purpose of the city Altun Ha was to take advantage of the trading that occurred between the azul waters of the Caribbean and the deep jungle interior of the Mayan Civilizations.
With the center of the site containing some 275 structures, it is estimated that Altun Ha was home to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. The entire site covers over 5 square kilometers and contains around 250 to 300 unexcavated mounds. The exact size of the magnificent site is still unknown today.
The availability of water is believed to have been important in determining the location and growth of the Mayan settlement. At Altun Ha the Mayan were very resourceful. Utilizing a natural depression the Mayan placed an artificial clay lining and constructed a dam at the south end, creating a water reservoir that centered around several buildings. Numerous, smaller versions were also created and used as catch-basins for rainwater.
At Altun Ha, all major temples are not actually single buildings, but instead are several buildings constructed on top of one another. The Mayan philosophy was that temples had a limited life span. They were to be used for a certain purpose and then modify to fit a new demand, but were never destroyed. Most temples typically had an outer appearance of a solid pyramid built atop where a chambered building or altar was placed.
Allow the faded stones to tell you stories of the past and the jungle atmosphere to take your imagination through the hidden treasures of the Mayan.
Lamanai
Lamanai. Age-Old Mayan for “Submerged Crocodile.” One of the greatest and most important of the Mayan ceremonial centers, Lamanai is located in the Orange Walk District. Centered on a pyramid that dates back to the time of Christ, it contains three notorious sites; Mask Temple, Temple of the Jaguar Masks and High Temple. At the latter, you can climb the crumbling steps that reach into the blue sky for a view of stretching green jungle, framed with the patchwork of sugar cane fields.
The ruins of Lamanai lie along the beautiful, 30 mile long New River Lagoon. It is also home to an abundance of wild life, including many birds and howler monkeys. With one of the longest occupation spans in the Maya World, Lamanai has been continuously occupied for over 3000 years and is still occupied down to this day. You will find the small village of the Salvadorian further South of the site.
The first detailed description of the ruins was made by Thomas Gann, in 1917. But serious excavation and preservation did not start until 1974. Only a single stela (an ancient upright stone slab bearing markings, used as a monument or milestone), has been found at Lamanai. It bears a date and the Mayan name of the stela meaning, “Tree of Stone”.
The largest Pre-classic structure known in all the Mayan world, the massive main temple called “N10-43”, exemplifies the Maya resourcefulness and has been heavily modified several times. Lamanai is also known for the remains of two 16th century Christian churches and the 19th century sugar mill, which includes a large flywheel and boiler. While exploring the ruins you will find artifacts attesting to the life of the Lamanai people such as; stone, clay, wood, bone, shell, jade, copper, glass, iron and even liquid mercury.
Set in a tropical forest setting and providing spectacular views from several of its larger temples, Lamanai provides the unique experience of stepping back into the age old times of the Mayan culture and discovering their legendary history.
Xunantunich
Xunantunich (shoo-NAHN-too-nich) means “Stone Woman” in the ancient Mayan language. The name, like most archaeological sites is a modern name, the true ancient name is still unknown. The name was chosen because of a carved stone stela depicting the ancient ruling family of Xunantunich.
Xunantunich is located atop a mountain ridge above the Mopan River and is approximately 80 miles west of Belize City. Consisting of 6 plazas that are surrounded by more then 25 temples and palaces, it is home to the tallest structure in Belize. The pyramid known as “El Castillo” stands 130 feet tall over the main plaza and more then 230 feet above the river valley, making it a visible tower from all parts of the valley.
This site is also noted for the number of fine stucco facades found on it’s historic temples. El Castillo was at one time decorated with a façade band all the way around, but has begun to fade with time. Some of the carved images depict a mask with large ears, and ear ornaments that represent the sun god. There are signs for the moon, venus and the different Mayan days. There is also an unidentified headless man who was beheaded by the Mayan.
There has yet to have been a systematic excavation at Xunantunich. As a result many artifacts have been taken from the site. To date, eight stela and two altars have been uncovered. Many are plain stela that at one time were coated with plaster and the glyphs were then painted or incised into the plaster. Unfortunately, with weathering of time the glyphs are no longer visible.
It is speculated that an earthquake that shook through this site, is responsible for the abandonment of this once thriving city.
Tikal
Close you eyes, and allow your mind to slip away to the past, imagine the hum of thousands of people going about their daily business. Laughter, shouts, gossip, commands, children, young and old chatter, all bounce off the walls of the high temples and towers, making Tikal the “Places of Voices” or “Place of Tongues” in ancient Mayan.
When arriving at Tikal you are quick to notice that with an estimated 100,000 to 200,00 inhabitants of Tikal had a highly structured society that immersed itself in spiritual practices. As you explore the temples, you will see panoramic views of the city, read sanded stones that tell of the history and culture of the Mayan, view artifacts, and listen to the sounds that bring Tikal to life.
Lost in lush jungles of El Peten, Guatemala, this ancient city is surrounded by wilds of nature. Howlers monkeys will shout their welcome greeting from high in the tree tops, jaguars secretly keep guard of the city from afar, parrots, toucans, ocelots and an abundance of tropical flowers add color and life to the fading stones of Tikal. Huge monuments paid tribute to the rules of the past. Ball-courts, wooden lintels, a unique calendar system, and glyphic writings all reveal clues to us today. An intriguing way of life in a society that thrived for over 1,000 years fascinates our imaginations.
Innumerable structures in Tikal are still buried beneath the earth and have yet to be explored. Their excavation could reveal secrets that still puzzle and spell bind both the casual visitor and the dedicated scientist. The ruins of Tikal include an estimated 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths. The houses at Tikal were typically arranged in clusters around a central plaza. Most Mayan people were buried with ritual objects beneath the houses they had lived in.
Construction began around 600 B.C. and for the next 1500 years, Tikal was an important religious, scientific, and political center. Tikal dominated the central Maya lowlands, but was often at war fighting to hold it’s prominence.
The mystery of their demise, and the magnificence of their achievements both perplex and intrigue all who visit the most famous of Mayan civilizations, Tikal
