The Ancient Maya World
The area that is now known as Belize was once part of the of the Great Maya Empire. This empire was a patchwork of ever-shifting kingdoms and principalities that formed alliances with, or went to war against, one another even though the they all spoke a common language and shared a common religion. This once great civilization ebbed and flowed through periods of growth and prosperity. It also had long periods of war, civil unrest, and even starvation.
After nearly 3,000 years of existence, the Maya Empire began to break apart for reasons unknown between 600 to 900 A.D. This left the once-mighty cities to be overrun by the jungle. By the time the Europeans arrived on the continent in the 1500’s, the empire was almost completely gone.
Maya Ruins in Belize
Fueling a population explosion during the time of the ancient Maya was the area’s beautiful weather, fertile soil, and richness of marine life in the rivers and creeks as well as the offshore Great Maya Reef (now called the “Meso-American Reef”). Large cities, many with populations over hundreds of thousands of people, were thriving.
The Maya used the main river in the area (now called the “Belize River”) to transport goods throughout the region connecting it with the other city-states, including those in Guatemala. The well-excavated ruins that can be visited today in Belize are: Caracol, Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Altun Ha. There are many other large areas awaiting exploration throughout the jungles and rainforests. Some of these possible cities have been identified from aerial photography using new technologies.
Caves came to be important for ancient Maya ceremonies. Many of these caves in Belize have been discovered complete with treasures and artifacts left behind by the Maya religious leaders. Archeologists have discovered altars, carvings, and sacrificial remains of victims in some of these caves. These are the most visited Maya Ruins in Belize today: Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Caracol.
Three Popular Belize Ruins Vacation
Xunantunich
Xunantunich or Maiden of the Rock is situated on the Western Highway across the river from the village of San Jose Succotz.
This major ceremonial center can be reached by ferry daily and it is only 1.5 Kilometer (one mile) from some lovely rapids of the Mopan River.
This Classic Period site provides an impressive view of the entire river valley. The site core occupies only 300 square meters but the periphery covers several square kilometers.
El Castillo rises 40 meters above plaza level, making it one of the tallest buildings in Belize. On this structure there are two temples. The lower temple is famous for its large stucco frieze. A mask with larger ears probably represents the sun god. Next to this mask, there is a moon sign with a border of signs representing Venus.
Altun Ha
Altun Ha is located in Rockstone Pond Village in Belize, Central America. It is the most visited Mayan site, in the country. People who want to know more about the ancient Mayan culture, their beliefs, and traditions visit this ceremonial location year-round.
The Maya people of Altun Ha left traces of a culture rich in social rituals, mathematics, and the study of the heavens. The temples surrounding the area offer a wealth of information regarding the classical history of the Mayan culture. This site has an area of about 25 square miles and is surrounded by lush forests and vegetation.
Caracol
Located deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Caracol is the largest known Maya site in Belize and one of the biggest in the Maya world. Caracol was a Classic Period urban center that spread out over 55 square miles with an estimated population of 180,000 people.
Caracol's enormous central core area covered 15 square miles and was linked together by more than 20 miles of "sacbeobs" (causeways) that radiated outward from its epicenter. The temple "Caana" (Sky Place) rises 42 meters above plaza level and to this day is the largest man-made structure in Belize.
Over 70 formal tombs have been excavated and many hieroglyphic texts have been found on stelea, altars, and ball court markers, capstones and wall facades.
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