Belize

Altun Ha

Maya city ruins in Belize

Location

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Historical Context

About

Altun Ha is the name given to the ruins of an ancient Maya city in Belize, located in the Belize District about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Belize City and about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the shore of the Caribbean Sea. The site covers an area of about 8 square kilometres (3.1 sq mi). Stones from the ruins of the ancient structures were 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. The Old Northern Highway connects Altun Ha to Belize's Northern Highway, and the site is accessible for tourism. The largest of Altun Ha's temple-pyramids, the "Temple of the Masonry Altars", is 16 metres (52 ft) high. A drawing of this structure is the logo of Belize's leading brand of beer, "Belikin".

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Occupational span of Altun Ha

c. 900 BCE–AD 1000

Structure F8 construction

c. AD 200

Tomb F8/1 burial

c. AD 250

Central precinct offering with metal bead

c. AD 500

Sun God's Tomb (Tomb B-4/7)

c. AD 600–650

Earliest round platforms (Structures C13 and C17)

c. 900–800 BCE

Modern discovery and initial investigations

1963–1971

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Miscellaneous Features

Caches
category

Water Management Features

ReservoirsCisterns
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Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsGravesPyramids
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesAltarsCeremonial Platforms
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Artistic and Decorative Features

InscriptionsReliefs
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

VillagesTowns
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Transportation and Communication Structures

TrackwaysRoads
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

Details

Country

Belize

Coordinates

17.76° N, -88.35° E