Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins - Altun Ha–Mayan for “Rockstone Pond”—is situated amid one of the richest wildlife areas in Belize, so if you’re eager to spot critters in addition to spectacular ruins, come for the bats, foxes, white-tail deer, tapir, armadillos and ancient buildings. This site is composed of 44 acres of archaeological history. First settled around 250 BC, Altun Ha is a relative newcomer when compared to other Belize ruins that harken back to 1000 BC, but it’s so unique, it’s well worth touring this place. Over 200 species of birds also call the area home, so don’t forget to look up when you visit.
Among outstanding features of this former ceremonial center frequented by wealthy, powerful Mayans are two main plazas and 13 structures including the Temple of Masonry Altars. If engineering impresses you, check out the Maya-constructed water reservoir where crocodiles hang out these days. Once a project that provided settlement water, you may wonder how rain collected here instead of leaching or leaking away. Engineers used yellow clay to seal the ground so water couldn’t escape–yet another testament to Mayan ingenuity.
About The Jade Head of Belize: The Jade Head weighs 9.75 pounds and 5.86 inches tall, and is the largest object discovered in the Mundo Maya. The Crown Jewel of Belize was found at the Temple B4, the tallest Maya Temples at the site of Altun Ha.
Why Should You Visit Altun Ha?
Aside from seeing the aforementioned plazas, structures and water retention pond that gave this settlement its name, Altun Ha is a relatively “new” community, so you can compare the architecture, symbolism and progress to others and figure out what separates this era and place from them. Since Altun Ha is close to the Caribbean Sea, topography is different from remote ruins, likely a reason the rich and famous gathered here along a chain of cultural zones that drew Mayan elite. Because prominent people flocked here, area tombs were filled with exotic goods so they could live large in the afterlife.
What is the Best Way to Experience Altun Ha?
For national monuments (such as Altun Ha), the Belize Government requires that you be accompanied by a licensed-trained tour guide.  This is not only for your safety, but the governments way of protecting their historical monuments.  
What is the Best Way to Reach Altun Ha?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit?

Where is Altun Ha located in Belize?
Altun Ha is situated 31 miles north of Belize City along the Old Northern Highway and about 6 miles west of the Caribbean Sea shoreline. Drive the Northern Highway for about 1/2 hour, just after passing the Sandhill Village.  Take the Old Norther Highway on your left for 14 miles.  On your left take the Rockstone Pond Road towards the reserve for 2 miles.  This two miles isn’t paved, so prepare for a bumpy ride.

Altun Ha Mayan Ruins

     Your journey takes you to the Belize mainland where you will visit the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins.   This tour is typically coupled with another half day tour, making this mainland activity a full-day tour.
     Altun Ha is located about 31 miles (1/2 hour) north of Belize City on the Old Norther Highway (just past Sandhill Village).  You follow the Old Northern Highway about 14 miles, and then on your left is Rockstone Pond Road.  You follow this for another two-miles.  This dirt road connects the main road to the site.
     The most significant find ny archeologists to-date, is the Maya Jade Head.  It is believed that his jade head represents the Mayan Sun God, Kinich Ahua.  It is the largest object of carved jade discovered in the Maya civilization thus far, and is considered one of the crown jewels of Belize.
     Why visit Altun Ha?  Because it helps you to understand the history of they Mayan World.  In its day, Altun Ha was an important trading, agricultural and ceremonial center to the Mayan people.  The temple here focuses on the worship of the sun, and is dedicated to the Mayan Sun God.  One of the artifacts excavated at this site, is a spectacular round jade carved replica, believed to be the head of Kinich Aha, the Mayan Sun God. 
     Archeologists estimate that Altun Ha was occupied from 350 BC to about 95 AD.  For bird lovers, this is a great site to do a little bird watching. The area around the Altun Ha is rich in wildlife including armadillos, bats, squirrels, agouti, paca, foxes, raccoons, coati, tyra, tapir and the white-tailed deer. Two hundred species of birds have been recorded and there are large crocodiles that inhabit the Maya-made water reservoir. Altun Ha, a major ceremonial and vital trade center during the Classic Period, has two principal plazas. 

Facts About Altun Ha

  • Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City on the Old Northern Highway.
  • A two-mile dirt road connects the main road to the Mayan site. 
  • Two hundred species of birds have been recorded on the site.
  • Large crocodiles that inhabit the water reservoir (near the site), called "Rockstone Pond".
  • The bottom of this reservior is lined with yellow clay giving the bottom firmness capable of retaining water.
  • Altun Ha was a wealthy ceremonial center boasting (2) main plazas, (13) structures (including the Temple of Sun God or the Temple of the Masonry Altars). 
  • Altun Ha is not very far from the Caribbean Sea and it formed part of a unique cultural zone along with other coastal sites.
  • There are no stelae at Altun Ha.
  • Discovery of rich tombs indicates that the ruling elite enjoyed access to substantial amounts of exotic goods.
  • Altun Ha did not receive much attention (until 1963), when quarrying activities of the local villagers resulted in the recovery of a large and elaborately carved jade pendant.
  • What started out as a 4-year research project, turned into a full-scale archaeological project, lasting seven years from 1964-1971.
  • During 1964-1971, many rich archaeological finds were made, including the now internationally famed jade head.
  • The earliest evidence of settlement at Altun Ha dates to 200 B.C., although it is likely that nomadic hunting-and-gathering tribes lived in the area long before then.
  • The first major construction took place around A.D. 100 in the form of a temple near the principal reservoir, but by the beginning of the Classic Period (A.D. 250) the focus had shifted to the area which the visitor sees today.
  • The northern plaza (Plaza A) was the primary ceremonial precinct until close to the end of the Early Classic (around A.D. 550) when construction was begun on the Plaza B.
  • Construction at Altun Ha continued until A.D. 900, though a decline in the quality of new buildings was evident 150 years earlier.
  • As at other Classic Maya sites, the society appears to have been severely disrupted early in the tenth century A.D.
  • Although no single factor explains the decline of Maya civilization, there is some evidence that regional conflicts may have contributed to the downfall of the Maya at Altun Ha.
  • The center was not completely abandoned after the decline, but appears to have been occupied for about 100 years after construction activity had ceased.
  • It was once again reoccupied 200 years later, during the 13th and 14th centuries.

PHOTO GALLERY - Altun Ha