 | ||
| Altun Ha | ||
| province | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rockstone Pond has no parent region. | ||
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | 11 m | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
The Mayan ruins of Altun Ha are located in Belize in the Belize District
Altun Ha means "rock water". The central areas around Plaza A & Plaza B with 13 large temples and residential complexes are accessible for an entrance fee. Local guides lead around the site for a fee.
The temple of the masonry altar can be seen on every $ 2 note and bottle of Belikin beer.
background
history
The first traces of settlement lead to 200 BC. BC back. The first larger buildings could be dated to 100 AD. Up to 900 AD, the facility was continuously expanded until it was abandoned by 1000 AD. A total of around 500 buildings or structures were identified here. Although various attempts at repopulation were made, the complex was completely abandoned around AD 1300.
It is estimated that around 15,000 people lived in this Maya city during its heyday around 900 AD.
More detailed information about the history of the city is not available, as no characters have been found here.
Altun Ha is known for the discovery of the largest jade object in the Maya world. The 15 cm high and 5 kg heavy jade head of the sun god Kinich Ahau was found in one of seven chambers in the temple of the masonry altar (usually referred to as structure B4).
The system was measured for the first time in 1960 by the commissioner of the archeology of Belize (then still British Honduras) A.H. Anderson. Between 1964 and 1970 the facility was extensively examined by David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum (Canada). Between 2000 and 2003 extensive restoration work was carried out as part of a tourism development project under the direction of Jaime Awe, Juan Luis Bonor and Doug Weinburg.
landscape
The facility is embedded in the tropical rainforest near the coast. A small path behind structure B3 to B6 invites you to take a walk in the forest and leads to the main water reservoir of the former city.
getting there
Of Belize City From there you can get to the ruins of Altun Ha via the old Northern Highway. (Approx. 1 hour drive) From Mile 33, follow the signs to Rockstone Pond & Altun Ha on the left.
Of Belize City, San Pedro (Belize) and Ambergris Caye A variety of organized tours are offered.
Tourist Attractions
- Plaza A. Immediately after the visitor center and a few smaller structures overgrown with grass, one arrives at Plaza A. On the right, the high, only partially exposed structure A6 catches the eye. Structure A1 is straight ahead Temple of the Green Chamber. A chamber with hundreds of objects from AD 500 was found here, including jade, furs and fragments of a Mayan book. A5 is on the left. Almost all structures can be climbed. Especially from A5 you have a fantastic view of Plaza B.
- Plaza B. Between A4 and A5 there is a direct passage to Plaza B. The central element here is the Temple of the Brick Altar (Structure B4), in which several chambers were discovered, two of which were still intact. One found there, among other things. the 15 cm high and 5 kg heavy jade head of the sun god Kinich Ahau. Structure B4 can be ascended via a side-mounted staircase.From above you have a remarkable panoramic view of the rainforest. To the right are the structures B3, B5 and B6, which were probably once the residence of the nobility. A hiking trail leads to the reservoir between structures B4 and B6.
Temple of the Green Chamber
- reservoir. Here is found with structure F8 Reservoir temple the oldest temple in Altun Ha.
kitchen
Drinks and small snacks can be purchased directly at the ticket office.
For those who are really hungry, the Mayan Wells Restaurant, 2 km away, invites you to lunch for 10 to 15 Belize dollars. Here you can combine the meal with a visit to the in-house forest nature trail.
accommodation
At Mayan Wells [1]there is both a guest house and the possibility of camping.
Otherwise there are various hotels in Belize City, San Pedro (Belize) and Ambergris Caye to disposal.
