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| Well here it is folks, our pictures from our trip to Belize and the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha. Altun Ha means " Water of the Rock " or " Rockwater Stone ". This wonderful site was a real treat to me as it was my first visit to any ruins outside of the United States. I had studied Indigenious Tribes or North American and Central and South America in college, but nothing I had seen via pictures helped me to grasp the scope of this amazing site. The pictures here are ones we took on our walking tour of the site. I will try and put them in order as we saw them on that hot, humid day in late September. Please feel free to take any of the pictures in this section for your classes or for research work. As a past Anthropology student myself, I realize that a picture speaks a 1000 words. I hope you enjoy these spectacular pictures. |
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| Structure A-6 as seem looking from East to West. |
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| Temple of the Green Tomb |
| Structure A-1 |
| The above picture are of Structures A-1 and A-2 ( The Temple of the Green Tomb) as seen from mid center Plaza A, looking to the West. |
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| This is a picture of Structure A-3 as seen from the mid center of Plaza A, looking to the SouthWest. Notice the the step design of this wonderful structure. |
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| Temple of the Green Tomb |
| <==Structure A-1 |
| Structure A-1 and A-2 as seen from the top of Structure A-3 looking towards the Northwest. |
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| The above picture is of myself standing on top of Structure A-3. The Structure behind me is Structure B-4 (Temple of the Masonry Altars). The angle is a Southeast inclination of Structure B-4. |
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| <==Structure A-1 |
| <==Temple of the Green Tomb |
| Structure A-6 ==> |
| Structure A-1, A-2, and A-6 as seen from the top of Structure A-3 looking towards the Northwest. |
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| Structure A-5 as seen facing Northeast from the top of Structure A-3 |
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| <== Structure B-1 |
| Structure B-6 ==> |
| Structure B-5 |
| <== Structure B-4 (Temple of the Masonry Alters) |
| The only shade at Altun Ha ==> |
| This is a picture of Plaza B taken from the top of Structure A-3 facing Southeast. |
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| Structure B-6 |
| Structure B-5 |
| This is a picture of Structure B-5 and B-6 facing South from the mid center of Plaza B. |
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| Structure B-6 ==> |
| Structure B-5 |
| Structure B-3 ==> |
| This picture was taken from the top of the Temple of the Masonry Alters facing Southwest. |
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| <== Structure B-1 |
| This Was taken from the top of the Temple of the Masonry Alters facing Northwest. |
| Notice the mushroom ring ==> |
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| <== Structure B-1 |
| This is a picture of my hubbie and me standing in front of the Temple of the Masonry Alters. Inclination Southeast. |
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| Raleigh and I sitting in the shade to escape the heat. |
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| Matt, Raleigh and I and the Temple. |
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| Structure B-5 |
| A picture of Structure B-5 facing South. |
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| Structure A-1 |
| Temple of the Green Tomb |
| Structure A-6 ==> |
| This is a picture of Plaza A as seen facing Northwest from the top of the Temple of Masonry Alters. This pic gives a good sense of scale. |
| Notice the mushroom ring ==> |
| Structure A-5 ==> |
| Structure A-4 ==> |
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| This is a picture of a WITZ MONSTER. It is a carved piece that is located at the base of the Temple of the Masonry Alters. |
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| <==Structure A-1 |
| This is a close up of the mushroom ring that is in Plaza A. This photo was taken facing West. Notice how fantastic this fairy ring looks. |
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| This is a picture of a 30 foot high fern that was in the rain forest on the back side of the Temple of the Masonry Alters. Notice how big and lush it is and how dense the sub canopy of the forest is. |
| As I mentioned above, this was the very first site outside the Continental United States I had seen. It is a rather old Mayan site that has only recently been reconstructed. A more constructive meaning of ALTUN HA is Rockwater Stone. This is a closer translation than " Water of the Rock". There are very few good Altun Ha websites out on the net. I will attempt to place a few links below for those interested in its history and circa of where it is in aspect to the Mayan chronological date line. As a shaman, anthropology, and botany student, this site really captured me. It was like stepping back in time and seeing what was what and when. I was amazed at the rain forest and how lush the canopy and sub canopy can be. We read about the desert of the rain forest, and that the subcanopy and ground flora is barren and extremely dry. When I was at this site, there was standing water at the base of each tree and of every fern. Now granted I am not sure if I was in Belize after the rainy season or before it, but this BARREN RAIN FOREST DESERT FLOOR did not seem to be present. Belize is a wonderful country. It is extremely lush with both flora and fauna. I paid particular attention to the birds and the insects when I was there as well as the trees and the other natural vegetation. As a Medicinal Anthropolgist, I was upset that we could not stop at the Belize Herbarium or Arboretum. From what I understand going to the capital and seeing this facility is a botanists dream come true. The economics of Belize is wack. One Amercian dollar is worth two Belizian dollars. Belize City is a 3rd world country and as such we passed alot of ransacked housing. Some of the people still live in traditional thatched roofed houses. Most of the houses we saw were extremely poor, with no running water or santitation. All in all I would have to say that I was saddened to see so many people living in such filth. Ya have to understand that about 80% of the time, there is free standing water knee deep in most of the country. There is very little fertile soil for these people to farm, so they import alot of food. The area did seem to support a large goat and chicken population. The corporate element we as Americans are use to is totally absent from Belize. No Wal-mart, No McDonalds, No Taco Bell, nada, zip. The port of Belize city is a severe tourist trap so be warned if ya venture down that way. What Can I say, these people are dirt poor and they will do about anything to make a buck. Since there are not any tax's in Belize, shopping is a real treat. Their silver and other precious and semi precious stones and metals are a great bargain. Please make sure haggle for price as they will go down in price about 8 chances out of 10. I mean why pay top dollar when ya can get it for cheaper. |
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| This is the only picture I have of Raleigh and I in Belize City. Don't let the nice geeko fool ya, this picture was taken in a restricted area thats by the docks. |
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| <== Click on the mandella to the left to be taken to a wonderful site that gives the Mayan circa time line. |
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| <== Click on the picture to the left to be taken to a wonderful website about Mayan Astronomy. Please feel free to surf this individuals website as it has alot to offer in a plythoria of areas. |
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| <==CLICK on the Sphere to be taken back to my cruise pics. |