 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 centerduring 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. The most important finds were within the main temple. They found seven tombs but it was the tomb
of an elderly priest, the oldest and the last discovered
that was the most interesting. In this tomb the impressive jade head of Kinich Ahau was discovered. |
