Xunantunich

From the Xunantunich entry in Wikipedia:

Xunantunich is an Ancient Maya archaeological site in western Belize, about 70 km (43 miles) west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. Xunantunich is located atop a ridge above the Mopan River, well within sight of the Guatemala border – which is a mere 1 km (0.6 miles) to the west. It served as a Maya civic ceremonial center in the Late and Terminal Classic periods to the Belize Valley region. At this time, when the region was at its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in Belize.

There is evidence of Xunantunich being settled as early as the ceramic phase of the Preclassic period. The findings have been insubstantial to prove that Xunantunich was a site of importance. It was not until the Samal phase in 600–670 CE that Xunantunich began to grow significantly in size. Architectural constructions boomed in Hats'Chaak phase (670–750 CE) when Xunantunich's connection with the polity Naranjo solidified. Left in a state of abandonment at approximately 750 CE due to an unknown violent event (see Euan MacKie's work in 1959–60, above, which may be relevant here), Xunantunich did not re-establish itself as a strong presence in the region until Tsak' phase in 780–890 CE.

Belize Xunantunich Site Map
Site Map of Xunantunich from Guide to Belize

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Xunantunich

View over Xunantunich Plaza A1 in the foreground, structure A1 in the center, Plaza A2 behind it, and structure A13 behind Plaza A2. Structure A2 is on the right. (1432k)

Structure A6 called "El Castillo", the second tallest structure in Belize (after the temple at Caracol), at some 40 m (130 ft) tall. (1237k)

El Castillo with the stucco frieze on the north side. The frieze depicts the birth of a god associated with the royal family, gods of creation, as well as the tree of life (which extends from the underworld, the earth, and the heavens). (1303k)