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completely covered by tropical vegetation, the site of Altun Ha
was first noticed from the air by pilot Hal Ball in 1963. After
his discovery, Altun Ha was first excavated by Dr. David Pendergast
of The Royal Ontario Museum from 1965 through 1970. During that
time a carved ten pound piece of Jade fashioned in the likeness
of the head of the Maya Sun God Kinich Ahau was discovered.. Located
approximately thirty miles from downtown Belize City, the ancient
archeological site of Altun Ha is somewhat off the beaten path.
Altun Ha is a modern name formed by translating the english name
for the nearby village of Rockstone Pond.
The site encompasses over twenty-five square miles. The largest
of it’s temple pyramids is sixteen meters high(54 feet).
This pyramid is known as ‘Temple of the Masonry Altars’.
There are the remnants of some five hundred structures in the
central square. The city was occupied from from 200bc through
900ad with a population in excess of 10,000 inhabiatants. After
the 12th century the city declined into a small argricultural
village.
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