Belize City Surroundings - Altun Ha Archaeological Site

Altun Ha, Mayan for "Rockstone Pond" or "Water of the Rock", is northern Belize's most famous Mayan ruin. The community at Altun Ha existed between c600 BC (perhaps even earlier) until the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization c900 AD. The population at Altun Ha was estimated at around 3,000 people, and the town was an important trading post as well as an agricultural and ceremonial center.

Altun Ha is famous for the discovery of the Jade Head, which is the largest carved jade object found in the entire Mayan area. The carving represents the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, and is one of Belize's national symbols. The archaeological site features two main plazas and some 13 temples in a park-like atmosphere.

Many tombs were discovered during excavations and restoration that took place between 1964 and 1978. Artifacts found in the burial sites include hundreds of jade and green obsidian blades. Altun Ha is unusual because of the absence of a stela, a column or pillar monument.