Plenty of Maya temples exist in Belize, Altun Ha being closest to Belize city. Located 31 miles from Belize city, with Belize river flowing on the left, the ride is smooth apart from a small stretch of dusty road which is under construction. The road continues on to Mexico.
Although it is a small temple in comparision to the other massive ones but the excavation in one of its temples revealed Belize's national treasure---- the Jade Head.
Right turn from the main road past Lucky Strike village, apparently named after the famous brand of cigarettes, and later a very small village, Rockstone Pond village which is the boundary of Altun Ha brings you to the destination. Altun Ha is Yucatan Mayan name for "rockstone pond". A pond lies a little distance from plaza B.
Settlement in Altun Ha:
Archaeologists believe that the settlement started around 250 B.C. Construction started in 100 A.D. It enjoyed its peak period between 400 to 900 A.D. By 1000 A.D it was simply abandoned probably due to revolt against the rulers by working class, or an internal revolt.
Many tombs in the Temple of Masonary Altar containing bodies of high priests were looted, the presence of oil and soot justifies this theory.
The place came to attention when a jade pendant was discovered nearby in 1963.
Stratagically situated only 6 miles from the Caribbean Sea, it was an important trade center. Large number of chert quarries have been found in the area.Chert is a hard rock with very sharp edges and was used to make stone tools, weapons and ceremonial items. Soon Altun Ha became the center controlling the chert production.
Apart from chert, jade, obsedian (a natural occuring volcanic glass) were the items exported from here. With export flourishing, people became very rich and enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle.
As was a practice in Mayan tradition, human sacrifices were also perfromed, especially in the Temple of Sun God or the Temple of Masonry Altars.
A museum is situated on the left side, just before the entrance. I would suggest visiting it so that one can get a basic idea about the Maya life and rituals followed at that time. I found it quite informative. I have put pictures taken from the museum also.
Most of the Maya temples once built were modified and expanded by succeeding generations. Every generation would either add or hide a part of construction by the preceeding generation. That is why Maya temples show construction over several layers and periods.
A1 or Temple of The Green Tomb:
This is the most important temple in plaza A. The temple shows construction and modifications over the 5th and 6th century A.D.
Inside this temple a tomb containing either a ruler or a high priest was found hidden deep. It dated to 550 A.D. and contained almost 300 jade objects inside. "Green tomb" gets its name from the green color of jade. Apart from jade objects, ornaments, shell jewelry, sting ray spines - which were used in blood letting- skins, cloth, wooden objects, pottery vessels were found.
Mayans produced plenty of books called codices. Remains of one such book was found made of bark paper. The book is concerned with ritual practices, and various Maya gods.
Before climbing up the Temple of Masonry Altars we proceeded to the pond. On the left side of temple, a track leads to pond. A 10 minute walk on cobbled path with Cuhune palm trees on either side leads to the pond.
The most sought after part is heart of the palm. It is soft and the very delicious.
The huge palm fronds were used to make roof for houses.
The pond or reservoir supplied water to inhabitants of Altun Ha. The pond is said to be cemented with a yellow clay to stop seepage of water into the soil.
The water when we visited, was green and murky and it was difficult to see the floor of reservoir.
We watched the birds for sometime and then retraced our steps to Plaza B and to the most important temple in Altun Ha, The Temple of Masonry Altars.
Although it is a small temple in comparision to the other massive ones but the excavation in one of its temples revealed Belize's national treasure---- the Jade Head.
Right turn from the main road past Lucky Strike village, apparently named after the famous brand of cigarettes, and later a very small village, Rockstone Pond village which is the boundary of Altun Ha brings you to the destination. Altun Ha is Yucatan Mayan name for "rockstone pond". A pond lies a little distance from plaza B.
Settlement in Altun Ha:
Archaeologists believe that the settlement started around 250 B.C. Construction started in 100 A.D. It enjoyed its peak period between 400 to 900 A.D. By 1000 A.D it was simply abandoned probably due to revolt against the rulers by working class, or an internal revolt.
Many tombs in the Temple of Masonary Altar containing bodies of high priests were looted, the presence of oil and soot justifies this theory.
The place came to attention when a jade pendant was discovered nearby in 1963.
Stratagically situated only 6 miles from the Caribbean Sea, it was an important trade center. Large number of chert quarries have been found in the area.Chert is a hard rock with very sharp edges and was used to make stone tools, weapons and ceremonial items. Soon Altun Ha became the center controlling the chert production.
Apart from chert, jade, obsedian (a natural occuring volcanic glass) were the items exported from here. With export flourishing, people became very rich and enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle.
articles of trade
As was a practice in Mayan tradition, human sacrifices were also perfromed, especially in the Temple of Sun God or the Temple of Masonry Altars.
A museum is situated on the left side, just before the entrance. I would suggest visiting it so that one can get a basic idea about the Maya life and rituals followed at that time. I found it quite informative. I have put pictures taken from the museum also.
Map indicating the placement of different temples
As the map shows, there are two plazas: A and B.
Each plaza has temples and signs are put in front of each temple for visitors.
Plaza A:
Since plaza A is just in front, we made our entry between A7 and A5, the place where arrow points in the map above. It has 7 pyramids or temples. Most Maya temples have a stelae (a stone slab) in front but here, at Altun Ha it is not present.
Right in front are three temples. A1, A2, and A3.
entering Plaza A
A1 or Temple of The Green Tomb:
This is the most important temple in plaza A. The temple shows construction and modifications over the 5th and 6th century A.D.
Inside this temple a tomb containing either a ruler or a high priest was found hidden deep. It dated to 550 A.D. and contained almost 300 jade objects inside. "Green tomb" gets its name from the green color of jade. Apart from jade objects, ornaments, shell jewelry, sting ray spines - which were used in blood letting- skins, cloth, wooden objects, pottery vessels were found.
Mayans produced plenty of books called codices. Remains of one such book was found made of bark paper. The book is concerned with ritual practices, and various Maya gods.
on top of the temple
excavated portions
A2 and A3:
A2
This temple is connected to A1. It was once a free building.
A3
view of plaza B and Temple of Masonry Altar from A3.
view from A1
A3 has broad steps leading to the top. It is almost like A1. The steps are plastered and form platforms in between.
A4
A4 is on the south-east side of plaza A and does not have any structure on top of it. It probably served as a boundary between the two plazas.
A5, A6, A7:
Nothing much is known about these structures. Infact, the platfroms on top are so small and narrow that it does not seem that anything important used to happen there.
A5, A6, A7:
Nothing much is known about these structures. Infact, the platfroms on top are so small and narrow that it does not seem that anything important used to happen there.
A5, a huge all spice peppercorn tree grows on the mound
Our guide told us that his grandmother who is a Mayan, used to go to forest to get allspice tree leaves. They used to chew them in case of a toothache.
climbing A6
A6 is the tallest structure in Altun Ha but it remains under a huge mound. Probably further excavation might reveal something important one day!
climb to the top to get an excellent view of Plaza B
You get a good view of plaza A and B from here.
A7
The Rock Pond:
A7 was just a mound.
Before climbing up the Temple of Masonry Altars we proceeded to the pond. On the left side of temple, a track leads to pond. A 10 minute walk on cobbled path with Cuhune palm trees on either side leads to the pond.
path with cuhune palms
Cuhune palm was very much valued by Mayans and can be see all over Belize. The leaves being fire proof were used in thatching houses.
The most sought after part is heart of the palm. It is soft and the very delicious.
Cuhune nuts
Cuhune oil is extracted from these nuts and is used as an edible oil. It is a much preferred oil for cooking but being more expensive very few people use it. The extraction of oil is more labor intensive as compared to other oils. Bottles of this oil are seen on the side of road on way to Altun Ha.The huge palm fronds were used to make roof for houses.
The pond or reservoir supplied water to inhabitants of Altun Ha. The pond is said to be cemented with a yellow clay to stop seepage of water into the soil.
The water when we visited, was green and murky and it was difficult to see the floor of reservoir.
We watched the birds for sometime and then retraced our steps to Plaza B and to the most important temple in Altun Ha, The Temple of Masonry Altars.
Exciting and you really bring out the details
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