Belize Ancient Mayan World
Visit your first Maya ruin and take a magical journey into the ancient past. Steep in thousands of years of Maya tradition, easily accessible archaeological sites throughout Belize boast awe-inspiring structures and artifacts detailing a fascinating world of antiquity.
Archeologists continue to make discoveries that slowly unravel the secrets of thousands of years of Mayan history. In the last few decades, not only have new sites been found, but scientific exploration have resulted in incredible archaeological finds that provide insight into the lifestyle of the ancient Maya. The monumental architecture is the most distinct indication of their prominence, with structures rising to great heights above the jungle floor.
Excavation have uncovered important resources such as hieroglyphs, tombs, ceramics, figurines, and other objects that help scientist to piece together the story of this civilization’s incredible spiritual and intellectual legacy. Many of these discoveries have firmly established that Belize was central to the rise and prosperity of the Maya before their civilization collapsed around 900 AD.
Discovery & History
The ancient Mayans once inhabited what is now Belize, from the Temple of Cerros in the north to Lubantun’s stone plazas in the south.
Belize is now recognized as the land of the ancient Maya world, but it has not always been so. The earliest explorers traveled through Belize unaware of a single site. Monumental sculptures and architecture, successfully hidden by dense, uninhabited forest, stand as silent testimony to an indigenous Maya civilization that once numbered an estimated 1 million people.
It wasn’t until the excavations of Altun Ha, Lamani and Xunantunich in the 1960s and 1970s that the true extent of Belize’s archaeological heritage began to come to light. And only as recently as 1986, with the discovery of glyphs at Caracol indicating a military victory over the mighty city of Tikal, was it realized that some of the Belize centers were supreme in the Maya World.
Caracol (The Snail)
Cracol is the largest Mayan site in Belize, and one of the largest in the Maya world. It is located in the western part of the Cayo District in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. This is several hours’ drive from the turn-off along the Western Highway to the end of Mountain Pine Ridge area. The Caa-na pyramid structure below is the tallest man-made structure in ancient or modern Belize.
View from the top of the Caa-na pyramid structure at Caracol
The core area of Caracol is enormous, spreading for over 15 square miles. Between A.D. 650 and 700, around 36,000 structures were occupied by an estimated population of 200,000 people, nearly half the population of the entire country of Belize today. The city was linked together by more than 20 miles of sacbeob (white roads) that radiated outward from its epicenter like the spokes of a wheel. Many hieroglyphic texts have been found at Caracol on stelaes, altars, ball court markers, capstones and wall facades. From these texts, more than a dozen rulers have been identified who reigned from at least A.D. 495 through 859. The epicenter of the site today includes Caa-na (Sky Place), a massive pyramid rising 140 feet off the forest floor, capped by a cluster of three temples.
Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock)
Xunantunich is located in the extreme western part of the Cayo District across the Mopan River from the village of San Jose Succotz. Nearly 130-foot El Castillo adorned with an expressive architectural frieze is the tallest structure at the site and is visible for miles around.
View of the largest pyramid at Xunantunich Ancient Maya site
Xunantunich is one of the largest and most impressive ceremonial centers in the Belize River Valley. Much restoration has recently given it a new look. Major ceremonial center located on a natural limestone ridge, providing a panoramic view of the Cayo District. The view from the top is breathtaking and includes western Belize and a section of Guatemala. Glyphs and symbols place the rulers in kingship with the heavens. There is a museum on site holding two impressive stelae and an excellent exhibit at the entrance. Visitors and their vehicles are transported across the scenic river via a hand-cranked ferry.
Nim Li Punit (Big Hat)
Lubaantun (Place of Fallen Stones)
Lubaantun (photo on the right) is also located in the central part of the Toledo District near the head of the Rio Grande River. It is a 13-mile drive west of Punta Gorda. Its structures are manufactured of dressed stone fitted together without mortar. The site is one of the largest in southern Belize, recently excavated and reconstructed. It reportedly has 14 major structures, including several ball courts, grouped around five main plazas. The structures are primarily stone platform pyramids, some of which are enormous and were originally topped with perishable materials. Huge stone retaining walls and terraces wind through the site. Structure 12, the largest at the site, rises 36 feet above the plaza floor. This was undoubtedly, an important commercial center. Visitor center displays artifacts, pottery and figurines from the site.
Maya Site of Nim Li Punit Plazas
The above are just a few of the fascinating Maya Archeological Sites in Belize. Tour prices varies depending on which part of the country you stay and which site you visit. A day tour typically include another tour such as river canoeing or cave tubing along with the Maya ruin. Rates varies from $75 to $155USD per person.