Monday, January 26, 2009

Walking Tour of Altun Ha, Belize

The only way to actually experience the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha, Belize, is to take a walking tour. The ground is mostly level and the plazas are covered by a thick carpet of grass. There are a few shady areas around the sides of the site offering a bit of relief from the tropical sun.

There is no trail as such, but the natural configuration of the site leads first through Plaza A, then Plaza B, where we found a wooden staircase leading up to the top of the highest pyramid.
After taking the steep zig-zag stairs back down the other side of the pyramid there was a footpath that led back to the starting point, restrooms, souvenir shops and the parking lot.

Upon entering Altun Ha the first feature that caught our eye was this impressive mound to the right, facing Plaza A, known as Structure A-6. Less is know about this mound that the other structures in Plaza A due to its great size and poor condition. It is thought that an earlier building may be hidden deep within what appears to be an earthen mound.

Archeologists believe that the entire mass may have been raised in just two stages, between 550 and 600 AD. Adjoining Structure A-6 is a smaller low mound known as A-7. It is in the northeast corner of the plaza.

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