Xununtunich ruins, Belize

I took a tour to this other ruin close to San Ignacio. After the short drive, you get on the small ferry across the nature section of the Mopan river. This ferry is hand cranked.

These Mayan ruins are younger than the others I have seen. Though there is evidence that they were inhabited in 1000 BC, it was not a major Mayan center until 250 AD. Its name means stone woman as locals would see an apparition of a woman walking through the overgrown jungle towards one of the structures.

The name for the mounds of vegetation and dirt that covered the structures are called montículos.

Since it is summer, the University groups that are working on excavating were there. It was really interesting to talk to them about their work.

They uncovered stairs and foundations
A shard of pottery
The chiseling is the stamp of the architect

El Castillo was a fortress designed to house royalty but also protect them. Residences were at the top and viewing platforms with columns used for spectators and watchmen. The engraved artwork was recreated with plaster after years of degradation.

El Castillo is the tallest structure at the site. It is built from the bedrock of a hill with stairs leading to that bedrock layer.
This is the bedrock layer
Channels were created to move water.
A sleeping area
Facing the West
Shrine with columns. This is facing West and Guatemala is just in the distance.
The use of columns dates to the later classic period around 900 AD
Spiny back iguana not hunted for food
While excavating on the side, they found a tomb and followed it back through.
The size of the stones determines how old it is. Further back is much larger stones and the newer structures were built on top of the old ones with smaller stones. Using cement with the smaller stones means that the structures lasted for quite some time and can also not collapse.
From the top of El Castillo facing North.

We walked through the ancient road and to the two sites that are just being excavated.

They know that this is a foundation and they are looking for evidence of the door
This sutre was a quarry, not for stones for building but instead for sculpture stones
This has not been inscribed
This was an ancient ball court. The sloped sides had the stone hoops and the balls were made of hard rubber made from the sap of a tree and hit by elbows and knees

The last image is the time of heaven and the underworld in their religious beliefs.

I loved visiting this site as it was one of the major Mayan cities along with Tikal. Being close to the Mopan river, trading was easy with other cities.