Mayan site Altun Ha

The Mayan site is not far from Black Orchid Resort (and the nearest to Belize City). Altun Ha is one of Belize’s most excavated and restored locations, county’s most loved and well known Mayan city. Its largest temple has made its way onto the bottles of the country’s leading beer, ‘Belikin’. Altun Ha is a true favorite for visitors wanting to experience a true sense of ancient Maya civilization from centuries past; folks of all ages are sure to enjoy this Mayan jewel in the jungle!

The area around Altun Ha is rich in wildlife including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, raccoons, coati, tyra, tapir and the white-tailed deer. Two hundred species of birds have been recorded and there are large crocodiles that inhabit the Maya-made water reservoir.

The true ancient name is unknown and Altun Ha is a Mayan translation of the nearby village named Rockstone Pond. It was a very significant Mayan city in the Classic Period. It was inhabited for over a 1,000 year-long period (between 200 BC and 950 AD). The population may have reached 10,000 at its peak. Altun Ha was a significant trading center as evidenced by the large amounts of jade and obsidian excavated here. Jewelry, flints and skins have been found here too. Perfect location made possible trading between the water of the Caribbean and the deep interior Mayan lands. Archeologists assert that the final collapse at the city was as a result of a revolt. Masses of domestic refuse discovered in one of the temples, demonstrate that even after the collapse however, some middle class and lower class remained. Once again the place was inhabited 200 years later during 13-14th century.

The site hosts over 275 structures on 5 sq mi (8 sq km) territory, it is made up of two central plazas (built around 250 A.D.) surrounded by towering temples that enclose the palm strewn land. Evidently, the major temples were built on top of one another. The Mayans believed that their temples had a finite life span; this means that the uses of the temples were constantly being changed within time.

“Green Tomb”
A single tomb, possibly containing a ruler, was found hidden deep inside the temple facing entrance to the site (on the plaza A). It dates back to about 550 AD and was marked by surprising richness of contents. The presence of almost 300 jade artifacts has led this to be called the “Green Tomb”. Other findings included shell necklaces and ornaments, pottery vessels, stingray spines (used in ritual bloodletting), and groups of ceremonial elaborately shaped chert sculptures, as well as the remains of cloth, skins and wooden objects. Remains of a codex, an ancient book made on bark paper, were also found. The fragments were too fragile to be reassembled, but they at least tell us that codices were sometimes buried with elites during the Classic period.

Temple of the Masonry Altars
The tallest structure at Altun Ha, the Temple of the Masonry Altars (constructed in 8 phases between 550 and 650 AD, also known as the Temple of Sun God) looms over Plaza B at a height of 60 ft (18 m). It is thought to have been the focal point of the community's religious activities. Seven tombs were excavated from the temple. Because three of them were plundered, having their contents destroyed and the crypts filled with soil, researchers believe that the final demise of Altun Ha was perhaps brought by violent peasant revolt.

The largest jade found in Mayan world

One of the tombs housed an elderly priest accompanied by bits and pieces of cloth, cordage, wooden articles and numerous jade objects. Here was found priceless solid jade carving of the head of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau – the most spectacular find ever at any Maya site in Belize. It was discovered in 1968 by Doctor David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum of Canada and some of his Belizean workers. The buried priest might have commissioned this jade head to commemorate an important event in his life. Analysis shows that it was carved around 600 and 650 A.D. It is 5.86 inches (15 cm) high and weighs a whopping 9.75 pounds (4.42 kg), which makes it the largest jade artifact ever discovered in the area inhabited by Mayas! Now the jade head is kept in a vault in the Belize Bank.

Jade was the most precious substance for to the Maya, as it had been the other pre-Columbian cultures, such as the Olmecs in Mexico. It occurs in various shades, but the Maya prized the green jade most highly, considering it sacred for its glowing green hues that reminded them if the green leaves of maize, their symbol of life itself. For this reason only kings and deities were allowed to wear jade, as a mark of their status and power.

Man-made water reservoir
The name “Rockstone Pond” also signifies the presence of one of the most interesting finds of any Maya site; a man-made water reservoir that is lined at the bottom with limestone clay giving the bottom the firmness needed to retain water. The reservoir was constructed by diverting the flow of a creek that ran through the area just enough for them to dig and enlarge a round hole with a clay plastered bottom. Once the clay dried and hardened, the stream was rerouted to its original course and the newly built reservoir filled and overflowed, allowing the stream to continue on its original track. This provided a vital source of water for the thousands of inhabitants that lived there.

During your vacation in Belize, Black Orchid Resort offers you to visit the famous Mayan site of Altun Ha and get an unforgettable experience. The rate is $60 US per person (minimum 2 persons per tour). Duration is 3.5 hours. You can also combine it with Belize City tour, visiting Belize Museum, to get to know more about Mayas and Belize history.

Check our tours to Mayan sites and other attractions. Read more about mysterious Mayas

 

Check our tours to Mayan sites and other attractions. Read more about mysterious Mayas.