The Interesting And Amazing Mayan Ruins Found In Belize

Long ago, Belize was thought to be an important part of the Mayan empire. The land was rich and ideal for cultivating crops to feed their huge numbers, additionally, the sea provided trade not just to various other Mayan cities, but to different countries all along the Eastern part of South America at the same time.

To this day, the remains of their cities can still be seen, several of which are opened to the public and each year new ones are being discovered. Walking among these jungle-covered ruins can spark a sense of adventure as well as mystery.

Interesting Mayan Artifacts

You can find within one of these ancient cities the largest jade artifact crafted by the Mayans, a jade head of the Mayan sun god. It was found on the right wrist of a body entombed within The Temple of the Masonry Alters, in the ancient city of Altun Ha, or "Water on the Rock", and then a replica can be seen at the Museum of Belize in Belize City.

Smaller Sized Mayan Complexes in Belize

In addition there are many more compact complexes, including Cahal Pech, "Place of Ticks", which was at that time the home of a royal Mayan family between 1000 BC and 800 AD. The site is only 2 acres in dimensions, approximately 30 architectural structures, but a lot of artifacts, among them a jade/shell mosaic mask was found inside of its walls. In the visitor center and museum, the paintings of the city during its interpretative film provide one a much better view of this small and mysterious palace; anyone interested in this site is encouraged to visit this place.

Belize does not only possess magnificent temples and pyramid-shaped buildings which people first thing of when talking about the Mayans, it is a place where you can find a great number of ceremonial caverns. These caves, that have been recognized by the Mayan, incorporate countless treasures, including skeletons of sacrificial victims, ceremonial objects, as well as ceramic jars. Among the most well known caves, the Actun Tunichil Muknal which is popularly called ATM retains the skeletal remains of a young woman, totally coated in calcite crystals and recognized, somewhat properly, as being the Crystal Maiden. Some other caverns consist of what is referred to as the Footprint Cave and also the Che Chem Ha.

In Belize, you can find another great place to explore which is the spectacular swim-in cavern called the Footprint Cave; the cave actually holds artifacts and cermoninal chambers, moreover amazing dripstone formations. One rare find in this cave which is also a must-see for tourist is a bench with the head of a monkey sculpted on its face. The footprints that provided the cave its name are viewed to have been left by the Mayan's religious leaders or shaman . These, on the other hand, aren't available to travelers.

No traveler ever leaves dissatisfied no matter you are interested in the impressive caves or in the stone buildings. The mystic and splendor of the Mayan world pull plenty of visitors every year, from researchers to families, and provide not just a historical point of view, yet a nearly heavenly sense when you walk the streets which were previously traversed by these amazing people ages ago.