BELIZE: THE MAYAN SITES

The Maya make Belize a heaven for both archaeologist and visitors. many are the sights available and many more may still be undiscovered in the jungles of the country.  The governments of Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Salvador and Honduras are working together on a program which is designed to showcase and preserve their shared Maya Heritage. This program will transcend the political boundaries of these nations and will connect their Maya ruin sites, providing visitors with a complete history of the Maya Culture and access into remote areas without endangering the delicate ecosystems of each country.

ALTUN HA (WATER OF THE ROCK) - Altun Ha, the most extensively excavated of all of the Maya centers in Belize, is located approximately 30 miles north of Belize City. It is believed to have first been settled over 2000 years ago. This Classic Period ceremonial center, located six miles from the sea, was important as a trading center and as a link between the coast and the settlements of the interior. Many spectacular discoveries have been unearthed here, including the ornately carved head of Kinisch Ahau, the Mayan Sun God. This head, weighing 9 3/4 pounds and measuring nearly 6 inches from base to crown, is believed to be the largest Maya jade carving in existence. Also uncovered was the Temple of the Green Tomb, a burial chamber which contained human remains and a wealth of jade pieces including pendants, beads, figures and jewelry. 

XUNANTUNICH (MAIDEN OF THE ROCK) - This major ceremonial center is located approximately 80 miles from Belize City, near the western border at San Jose Succotz. Xunantunich is accessible only by ferry which runs from Sanjose Succotz daily from 8am-5pm. The most prominent structure at Xunantunich is 'El Castillo,' a pyramid rising over 130 feet at the south end of the main complex. "El Castillo' has been partially excavated and can be climbed on a trail that winds back and forth across its panoramic views of Belize and distant Guatemala. 

LUBAANTUN (FALLEN STONES) - This Late Classic ceremonial center, located northwest of Punta Gorda near the village of San Pedro Columbia, is not directly accessible by vehicle - there is a five minute walk from the road to the ruins. Lubaantun is noted for its unusual style of construction ... the large pyramids and terraces are made of precision cut stone blocks fitted together without mortar. 

NIM LI PUNIT (BIG HAT) - Preliminary excavations at this ceremonial center, discovered in 1976, indicate that it was important during the Late Classic Period. Twenty five stelae have been found at the site, including one measuring 31 feet in height - the largest carved stelae in Belize. Nim Li Punit is located off the Southern Highway, approxi-mately 25 miles north of Punta Gorda, near Lubaantun. 

LAMANAI (SUBMERGED CROCODILE) - Lamanai is one of Belize's largest ceremonial centers, with an occupation span dating from 1500 B.C. to the 19th Century. Spanish occupation is represented by the remains of two Christian churches on the site. The ruins of Lamanai are generally uncleared with only a few trails in existence. Visitors can climb to the top of the main temple by a steep, intact stairway - a true adventure. Lamanai can be reached by road from San Felipe. Otherwise, a boat may be hired on the New River at either Orange Walk, Guinea Grass or Shipyard. 

SANTA RITA - The modern town of Corozal is built over the ancient Maya center of Santa Rita. This site was important during the late Post Classic Period and was occupied up to the time of the Spanish contact in the 1500's. Archaeological excavations there have shown Santa Rita to be the ancient province of Chetumal where a large part of the Post Classic civilization once thrived. The largest building in the central core of Santa Rita has been excavated and is open to the public. 

CARACOL (SNAIL) - Discovered in 1938 and later explored in the 1950's, Caracol was thought to be little more than a Maya ceremonial center. It was not until more extensive excavation efforts began in 1985 that the importance and expanse of Caracol became known. in 1986, a round elaborately carved altar stone was uncovered which described a victory by Caracol over Tikal, once considered to be the most powerful Maya metropolis. This discovery filled an important missing piece of Maya history, covering approximately 140 years in the Middle Classic Period, and positioned Caracol as the .supreme' Maya city. The largest pyramid in Caracol, The Canaa (Maya for 'sky palace') rises 140 feet and is the tallest manmade structure in all of Belize. Caracol is lo-cated south of San Ignacio and is accessible by road. 

NOHMUL (BIG HILL) - This site was a major ceremonial center occupied during the Late Preclassic and Late Classic Periods. Comprised of twin ceremonial sites, Nohmul is connected by a raised walkway (sache). The tallest structure at this site is also the highest point in the Orange Walk/Corozal area. Nohmul is located in the village of San Pablo which is easily accessible by public transportation from Orange Walk Corozal and Belize City.

CUELLO - Cuello is a small ceremonial center and of great archaeological importance, revolutionizing previous concepts about the antiquity of the ancient Maya. Prior to the discovery of Cueno, the Maya civilization was believed to have begun around 900 B.C. However, excavations at Cueflo have unearthed artifacts dating back to 2500 B.C. Located only 4 miles from Orange Walk on the Yo Creek Road, the site is located on the grounds of the local rum distillery and takes its name from the landowners. Permission must be obtained from the owners prior to entering the grounds.

UXBENTON (OLD PLACE) - Discovered in 1984, Uxbenton is noted for its more than 20 stelae, of which 7 are carved. One of these carved stelae his been dated back to the Early Classic Period, a previously unknown period for Southern Belize. The site itself sits on a ridge overlooking the village of Santa Cruz, affording a panoramic view of the foothills and valleys of the Maya Mountains. Although Uxbenton is situated only 3 miles west of San Antonio Village, it is not reachable by public transportation.

CAHAL PECH - Cabal Pech is a medium-size Maya center located in the Cayo District. The present name of the site is a com-bination of Yucatex and Mopan Maya meaning "Place (or City) of Ticks"; a name coined in the 1950's when the. land around the site was used for pasture. Situated along the west bank of the Macal River, Cabal Pech offers the visitor a panoramic view of San Ignacio Town and the Belize River Valley below. The re-markable contrast between the town and the jungle, which are in such close proximity, makes Cabal Pech a unique place to visit. Within a few minutes a person can leave the bustle of San Ignacio and enter an atmosphere where life remains in its natural state and ancient monuments become silent testimony of a grandiose civilization that once was There are no facilities at the site so we suggest that you carry at least a canteen of water with you. The central precinct is within a 10 minute walk, or a short drive south of the Benque Viejo junction of the Western Highway. The road up the hill leads you directly into Plaza B.

PILAR - Pilar is one of Belize's largest Classic Maya centers. At least 15 courtyards or plaza groups cover a 50 acre area, making it three to four times larger than Xunantunich. The complexity of the site suggests a long building sequence and the settlement density around the center doubles that of the surrounding area. Pilar lies in a part of the Cayo District which has been cultivated for years; although much of the area is under secondary growth, many milpas are situated nearby. One of the site's greatest potential assets is that once cleared and exposed, its panorama will probably be matched only by that from Xunantunich; it may indeed be possible to see one site from the other, and to speculate on their relationship and domains.