Unlike many Mayan places which survived only for a short time, Lamanai settlement existed for a very long time from round 1000 B.C. to as late as 1640 A.D. when the Spanish built churches and tried to convert Mayans to Christianity, bringing revolt and later ending their existence in Lamanai.
New River Lagoon has a depth of 152 meters so Lamanai was situated very strategically at a place where trade was very easy. Across the river on the other side is flat land where corn and other produce was grown.
The original name of the settlement was "Lamanayan" or " Lamanay" which actually meant "submerged crocodile" maybe because of plenty of crocodiles in the river. This was also reflected in their excavated pottery, figures, the headgear-- specially in the mask temple. The name got distorted to "Lamanai" which means submerged insect! But the name Lamanai is mostly accepted now.
Lamanai has eight major plazas but we focussed mainly on the three big temples, ball court and Stela Temple. Unlike Altun Ha, where structures are built around the two plazas, here in Lamanai, some temples stand alone.
Dedicated to Sun god, the temple has nine tiers and a stair which runs in the center. Mayans believed that when the sun comes down, he becomes a jaguar and undertakes the journey to underworld. He always faces west, whereas Sun god faces east.
The tree called Stemmadenia donnell-smithii , Cojone de Caballo in Spanish is supposed to be a medicinal plant. It is Chaac'le' Kin in probably Maya as this was the name written under its tree. I was told that it exudes a resin and probably the Mayans used it as a sort of glue.
Ball court N10-40:
Very close to the High Temple and Stela temple is the ball court. It is said to be built around 900 A.D. Ball game known as "Pok-a-tok" was played here. Around 6-8 lbs of solid rubber ball was used for the game.
The purpose of the game was to bounce the ball which was hit by both teams using only elbows, hips and knees. No hands were permitted.
The walls on the sides slope inwards and there is a circular stone in the center called marker which signified the center of court. Lamanai is till now said to have the biggest marker. Under this marker huge amount of liquid mercury, probably from Honduras, and pieces of jade were discovered.
The players wore protective gear on knees and chest and often suffered severe injuries.
The game also had religious significance when the head of the losing team or the whole team was sacrificed to the gods. The same principle applied to enemies who were captured. Sometimes, a gory practice was followed where the captive king or captain of the losing team was either tied to the ball or even used in place of ball and later thrown down the stairs.
The winner of the game obviously became the hero.
Around the ball court there are plenty of mounds which probably have temples under them. Much excavation work still needs to be done.
Stela Temple N10-27:
A stela was found at the base of this temple, hence named the Stela Temple. Stela is an upright stone with inscriptions or carving on it.
New River Lagoon has a depth of 152 meters so Lamanai was situated very strategically at a place where trade was very easy. Across the river on the other side is flat land where corn and other produce was grown.
The original name of the settlement was "Lamanayan" or " Lamanay" which actually meant "submerged crocodile" maybe because of plenty of crocodiles in the river. This was also reflected in their excavated pottery, figures, the headgear-- specially in the mask temple. The name got distorted to "Lamanai" which means submerged insect! But the name Lamanai is mostly accepted now.
Lamanai has eight major plazas but we focussed mainly on the three big temples, ball court and Stela Temple. Unlike Altun Ha, where structures are built around the two plazas, here in Lamanai, some temples stand alone.
sign greeting visitors
Jaguar temple, N10-9:
In plaza P2, the dominating structure is the Jaguar Temple. It was constructed in 500 A.D. and is 19 meters/ 65 feet high. It gets its name from two jaguar like faces in the lowermost tier. Mayans always liked symmetry so there are figures on either side of the center.
Dedicated to Sun god, the temple has nine tiers and a stair which runs in the center. Mayans believed that when the sun comes down, he becomes a jaguar and undertakes the journey to underworld. He always faces west, whereas Sun god faces east.
jaguar head on left side of temple
jaguar head in right side of temple which is a better one
The jaguar mask or head clearly shows two eyes, eyebrows, mouth with three teeth, nose, ears at the sides. Ritual practices used to be udertaken only at the base of temple.
residential ruins in background
residential area
Archaeologists believe that a significant portion of this temple still lies underneath and when fully revealed will be higher than the existing High Temple which is 37 meter high. Some modifications were made to it in the 13th century and last extension to this temple was made around 1400 A.D. when the temple was raised higher.
Around 600-700 A.D., the masks were covered but the central steps remained.
Facing the temple on right side is a huge tree with big fruits on it.
On asking our guide about the name and purpose of the tree, I was told that it was called "horseball tree"! Rather an odd name for a tree. It is is derived from the shape of the fruit which looks like, horseballs. With a whimsical smile I noted the name of it on my paper.
Ball court N10-40:
Very close to the High Temple and Stela temple is the ball court. It is said to be built around 900 A.D. Ball game known as "Pok-a-tok" was played here. Around 6-8 lbs of solid rubber ball was used for the game.
The purpose of the game was to bounce the ball which was hit by both teams using only elbows, hips and knees. No hands were permitted.
The walls on the sides slope inwards and there is a circular stone in the center called marker which signified the center of court. Lamanai is till now said to have the biggest marker. Under this marker huge amount of liquid mercury, probably from Honduras, and pieces of jade were discovered.
The game also had religious significance when the head of the losing team or the whole team was sacrificed to the gods. The same principle applied to enemies who were captured. Sometimes, a gory practice was followed where the captive king or captain of the losing team was either tied to the ball or even used in place of ball and later thrown down the stairs.
The winner of the game obviously became the hero.
Around the ball court there are plenty of mounds which probably have temples under them. Much excavation work still needs to be done.
Stela Temple N10-27:
A stela was found at the base of this temple, hence named the Stela Temple. Stela is an upright stone with inscriptions or carving on it.
Stela in front of the temple
stela in front of temple
original stela in the museum
This is the only stela in Lamanai excavated till now. It was found in two pieces, the upper portion had broken from the main stone and was found beneath the earth. Archaeologists believe that a fire broke the stela.
In front of this temple is a Copal tree. The resin from this tree was used as an incense by Mayans. It was also used in ritual ceremonies. Go near the trunk and smell the bark.
We now move ahead to the most awaited temples: the High Temple and the Mask Temple which I am going to share in the next post.
Since I could not see the features, I added shadows to it
The inscriptions on it states two dates: one is 608 A.D. and the other 625 A.D. (our calendar). According the Maya epigraphers the stela is that of Lord Smoking Shell who probably ruled for 17 years, betweem 608 - 625 or an event which took place in 608 like the death of the person on stela. The latter year could possibly be another important event associated with some other person.
The text is incomplete so it is just a probable assumption.
Under the stela were found remains of five small children. There were no signs of violent death. Also the remains have not been found related to a monument, so they might be children of Lord Smoking Shell.
In front of this temple is a Copal tree. The resin from this tree was used as an incense by Mayans. It was also used in ritual ceremonies. Go near the trunk and smell the bark.
We now move ahead to the most awaited temples: the High Temple and the Mask Temple which I am going to share in the next post.
Beautiful place indeed!
ReplyDeletecurious about the Copal tree smell