on April 5, 2008
The site was occupied almost continously for 1200 hundred years. Like many of the other sites in the Mayan world Altun Ha collapsed around 950 A.D. Altun Ha is divided into two plazas known as Plaza A and Plaza B.
Plaza A is surrounded on all four sides by magnificent buildings. The most prominent is the Temple of the Green Tomb. This building dates from 550 A.D. When excavated by archeologists, the temple was found to be filled with fine artifacts such as jewellery, animal skins and jade.
Temple B is also surrounded by impressive buildings. The dominating feature is the Temple of Masonry Altars. This was probably the main building used for religious ceremonies at Altan Ha. It can be climbed by way of a wooden staircase to the south side of the building. Several tombs were found inside of the temple but most were the victim of grave robbers. Notably is that one of the few that was not was the tomb for Kinich Ahau which gave way the largest jade carved head ever found in the Mayan World. It was 15cm in size.
To the south of the ruins is a large pond called Rockstone Pond. You can track through the jungle a few hundred meters and see it. The pond was at one time a reservoir built by the Maya. Today there are crocodiles here so don't jump in to escape the heat.
I visited Altun Ha by way of a bus tour from Ambergris Caye. Otherwise it is very heard to get here by public transport.
on October 22, 2006
on September 1, 2005
on April 23, 2004
on September 8, 2002
