Belize Mayan Ruins
As with all the Mayan civilization that has been left behind for us to see, the Belize Mayan Ruins are well known and historically important. In terms of history the Belize Mayan Ruins are found in part of the southern Mayan lowlands. The Belize Mayan Ruins date back archeologically to the pre-classic Mayan period until the Spaniard arrival on Belize shores. Belize became the heart of Mayan civilization from 250 AD to 900AD with approximately 1000000 people. Today there are Mayan people still living in the villages in Belize.
Altun Ha in Mayan means, “stone water” or “water in the rock”. The Belize Mayan Ruins of Altun Ha is an important classic period site because of its location. It indicates that it was situated to take advantage of trade done between the Caribbean and interior Mayan civilization. It was also a major ceremonial site. It was here that the largest carved jade object was found. The jade carving is the head of the Sun God Kinich Ahau, which is the national figure of Belize. Kinich Ahau can be seen on every banknote corner in Belize.
Caracol was not the Mayan name for this Belize Mayan Ruins. The original name is still not known but Caracol means “snail”. The reason for its adapted name is for the winding access road, which resembles a snail’s shell. This site was known as the largest Mayan Ceremonial site in Belize. Because if its location a lot of Caracol is still a mystery. Some 20 plazas surround the center of the location; the largest, which is called Caana, which houses the largest Belize, pyramid. The pyramid stands at 145 elevation. There is also an elaborate ball court with an elaborate altar at this site. From the hieroglyphics and archeological finds this Belize Mayan Ruins was at its peak during the classic period.
There are also tours available for the various Belize Mayan Ruins. Ian Andersons Caves Branch Adventure Company And Jungle Lode http://www.cavesbranch.com/index.html offer a great variety of tours available to Mayan Belize Ruins. Located in the middle of the Belize jungle you are offered a variety of packages and accommodations. There is a lost Mayan Ruins expedition actually located on the 58,000-acre Caves Branch Estate. On this expedition you will cross unexcavated ceremonial plazas as well as stand on palaces and temples. The Tikal Mayan Ruins runs about $150.00 per person and the level of physical exertion is listed as easy. This is what is called a full day trip to Guatemala. Each person has to pay his or her own tax of $75.00 in addition to the $150.00 for the tour. You spend about 4 hours at Tikal and leave at around 5:00 or 6:00 to return to the hotel. Xunantunich and Cahal Pech Maya tour you go to two major excavation sites in Belize. This is a relatively easy physical trip and runs about $ 95.00 per person. There is a great on site museum at Xuanantunich as well. Lunch is taken between the two sites. For those that need more of a challenge there are tours that are listed as moderately difficult to difficult. They include things like a 7day trek to Xibalba to find new entrances into the mystic domain where priests and shamans did their thing for the underworld gods. The price for this kind of adventure runs about $1,200 per person and there is a 4-person minimum. It does require a good fitness level to take this trip. They offer several other trips of this nature. These types of tours are offered at 2 times a year per trip of this nature. A 50% down payment is required if you plan to take this type of tour. Once again if your fitness level is not excellent these are not the trips for you.
Mayan Civilization Ancient Maya History
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