ALTUN HA
"Water of the Rock"

Probably the most excavated site in Belize. Though quite small in size, this Mayan site has become famous mainly for a large jade head representing the sun god Kinich Ahau that was discovered in the main temple. This head is the largest Mayan jade artifact discovered to date. It is now the national symbol of Belize and seen on the corner of every Belizean banknote.

The complex of Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City. It once was a major Mayan ceremonial center and functioned as a trading center during the classic period (250-99 A.D.), but the site is more than 2000 years old. There are more than 275 structures and there are up to 250 to 300 unexcavated mounds.

The entire city covered five km2 and the population is estimated to have been 8,000 to 10,000 people at its peak. The oldest part of the city is located around a clay reservoir. The first permanent buildings were erected around the first century BC. The central plaza of the site was not begun until 250 AD. The temples seem to be constructed in layers, adding new complexes on to suit their changing needs. One of the most interesting temples is the temple of the masonry alters with its unique round alter and unusual sacrificial practices in which jade and incense was offered.

The construction of these temples continued until the ninth century, when the construction abruptly halts. There is some evidence that suggests the fall of Altun Ha was due to peasant revolt. There were later inhabitants but they mainly saw the main temple grounds as a sacred site only fit for their garbage. Altun Ha was not discovered until 1963 and excavation did not begin until 1964. At the time it was the largest-scale and longest-term excavation ever carried out in Belize. The excavation continued till 1970.