Altun Ha

"Altun Ha" is a modern name in the Maya language, translated, it is the
name of the nearby village of Rockstone Pond.

The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry
Altars", is 54 feet (16 m) high.

The site covers an area of about 5 miles (8 km) square. The central square
mile of the site has remains of some 500 structures.

Archeological investigations show that Altun Ha was occupied by 200 BC.
The bulk of construction was from the Maya Classic era, c. 200 to 900 AD,
when the site may have had a population of about 10,000 people. About
900 there was some looting of elite tombs of the site, which some think is
suggestive of a revolt against the site's rulers. The site remained populated
for about another century after that, but with no new major ceremonial or
elite architecture built during that time. After this the population dwindled,
with a moderate surge of reoccupation in the 12th century before declining
again to a small agricultural village.

The ruins of the ancient structures had their stones reused for residential
construction of the agricultural village of Rockstone Pond in modern times,
but the ancient site did not come to the attention of archeologists until 1963,
when the existence of a sizable ancient site was recognized from the air by
pilot and amateur Mayanist Hal Ball.

Starting in 1965 an archeological team lead by Dr. David Pendergast of the
Royal Ontario Museum
began extensive excavations and restorations of the site, which continued
through 1970. One of the
most spectacular discoveries is a large (almost 10 pounds or 5 kilograms)
piece of jade elaborately
carved into an image of the head of the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau. This
jade head is considered
one of the national treasures of Belize.

A road connects Altun Ha to Belize's Northern Highway, and the site is
accessible for tourism.

"rockstone pond"

Altun Ha is an ancient Mayan city in Belize, located in the Belize District about 30 miles
(50 km) north of Belize City and about 6 miles (10 km) west of the shore of the Caribbean Sea.

AltunHa.net

"Rockstone Pond"
Belize
Central America

Altun Ha Tour Guide
Jenivieve August
is a tour guide from the local village of
Rockstone Pond. Her grandfather, Mr.
Wilhelm Leslie and another Belizean, Mr.
Winston Herbert are the two gentlemen
who found the famous Jade Head. They
were working with Dr. David Pendergast
and found it during what was supposed to
be their lunch break. She is the perfect
tour guide, with a direct connection to the
site and with extensive knowledge.

For more info. call: 205-5510 or email her at jeniaugust76@hotmail.com