Altun Ha

Altun Ha
Temple of the Masonry Altars
Altun Ha is located in Belize
Altun Ha
Shown within Belize
LocationRockstone Pond Belize
RegionBelize District
Coordinates17°45′50.22″N 88°20′49.42″W / 17.7639500°N 88.3470611°W / 17.7639500; -88.3470611
History
FoundedB.C. 900
CulturesMayan
Site notes
Excavation dates1961

Altun Ha /ɑːlˈtn hɑː/[1] 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".

  1. ^ Indira Craig (host) (April 17, 2013). "News broadcast". 7 News Belize. Event occurs at 45:23. Tropical Vision Limited. Channel 7. Retrieved May 16, 2013.