Tour Description
The original name of Altun Ha is unknown, Its
name was derived from a nearby village, Rock Stone Pond, which translates to Altun
Ha in the Mayan language. Altun
Ha is small in comparison to other ruins in the Mundo Maya, due to good maintenance
and the way the site is cleared it is easy for a visitor to Imagine what took
place at his ancient city.
Plaza
A is covered in grass, surrounded on all sides by pyramids and is adjoined by
Plaza B which contains the largest structure on the site, the Temple of the
Masonry Altars, which rises 54 ft. above the plaza.
After
a short hike to the top of the Temple of the Masonry Altars, one is rewarded
with a breathtaking view of the site and over the canopy of the jungle. This
temple went through eight phases of construction and the round altar at the top
is unique to this site. It was the focus of an unusual sacrificial ceremony in
which copal (incense) and beautiful jade carvings were offered into a blazing
fire.
The
archaeological site covers about one square mile of area, with at least 500
visible structures and likely had 3000 inhabitants, with a peak population of
8000-10,000 included in the surrounding areas. Evidence dates the earliest
settlement here to 200 BC, with varied construction phases ending about 900 AD.
Occupation of this site continued for approximately 100 years with a
re-occupation occurring the 13th and 14th centuries.
The
most spectacular find here was a six-inch high (15cm), ten pound, jadeite
carving of the head of Kinich Ahau, the Sun God, which was found in the tomb of
an elderly male priest. It is the largest jade figure found in the Mayan
Civilization. This head was found by Dr. David Pendergast and it is now on
display at the museum in Belize City. Printed copies of the head can be found
on the money of Belize. Because three of the seven priestly tombs in the Temple
of the Masonry Altars were plundered, having their contents destroyed and the
crypts filled with soil, researchers believe that the final demise of Altun Ha
was perhaps brought about by violent peasant revolt.
There
is also a trail running due south from Plaza B which leads you to the main
reservoir and onward through Zone E, a residential area, and several small
mounds are visible along here. Many burials were recovered in this area,
providing vast information about the inhabitants. At the edge of the reservoir
is the site of the first temple built at Altun Ha, dating to the Pre-classic
Period (100 AD).
While
daily trips to Altun Ha, are standard 1/2 day outing trips by most Tour
operators; It is also easy to find on your own if you've rented a vehicle and
there's news of a small restaurant having opened nearby called Maya Wells. The
highlight of our early morning visit was the profusion of birds-namely, more
than a dozen Montezuma Oropendolas flying back and forth over the plaza, and a
huge flock of Blue Buntings hiding in a fruit tree.
Entering
the site you approach Plaza A, which is enclosed by large temples on all four
sides. Here a magnificent tomb was discovered beneath The Temple of the Green
Tomb. Dating from 550 AD, this find yielded a total of thee hundred pieces,
including jade, jewelry, stingray spines, skin flints and the remains of a Maya
Book.
The
Adjacent Plaza B is dominated by the sites largest temple, The Temple of
Masonry Altar, which rises 60 feet above the plaza and was the last in a
sequence of buildings raised on this spot. This temple was probably the main
focus of religious ceremonies, with a single stairway running up the front to
an altar at the top.
Several
priestly tombs have been uncovered within the main structure, however most of
them had already been desecrated, possibly during political turmoil that
preceded the abandonment of the site.
Just
outside these two main plazas, a short nature trail leads to Clay-lined
Rockstone Pond, which was damned and used as a reservoir in Maya times,
Altun
Ha was an important trading and religious ceremonial center. Evolution of the
temples at Altun Ha continued until about 1,000 AD.
Even
though Altun Ha is small as compared to other ruins in the region, the extent
to which the site has been cleared and restored makes it easy to imagine its
past glory and wealth as a major ceremonial center.
Plaza
A is a large grassy area, surrounded on all sides by pyramids and is adjoined
by Plaza B which contains the largest structure on the site, the Temple of the
Masonry Altars, which rises 54 ft. above the plaza.
A
trek to the top of this pyramid is rewarded with a magnificent panorama of the
site and over the treetops of the jungle. This temple went through eight phases
of construction and the round altar at the top is unique to this site. It was
the focus of an unusual sacrificial ceremony in which copal (incense) and beautiful
jade carvings were offered into a blazing fire.
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