I have lived in Belize since 1969 and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to see it in person. All I can say is WOW!
Altun Ha - "Rockstone Pond" is located 31 miles north of Belize City on the Old Northern Highway. This ancient Mayan site was a wealthy ceremonial center boasting two main plazas, thirteen structures (including the Temple of Sun God or the Temple of the Masonry Altars). It was here that the famous Jade Head was discovered in 1968 by Dr. David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum of Canada and several of his Belizean workers.
The Jade Head, along with forty other objects, had been placed within a large tomb that was located below the stair block on the Temple of Masonry Alters (Structure B4).The tomb contained the remains of an elderly adult male; who was likely an important ruler of the site during his lifetime. This individual may have commissioned an artist to produce the Jade Head to commemorate an important event in his life. No one knows the exact date the Jade Head was carved, but analysis of cultural remains within the tomb suggest that the burial, and accompanying grave goods, were deposited in the structure sometime between 600 and 650 A.D.
Weighing 9.75 Pounds (4.422 KiloGrams) and standing almost 6 inches (15.24 Centimeters) high, the Jade Head remains the single largest carved jade object yet discovered in the Maya area. Its crossed eyes, fang-like elements on either side of the mouth, and the Ahau glyph on the forehead all indentify the head as a representation of the Mayan Sun God Kinich Ahau.
Display showing where the skeleton and Jade Head were located at Altun Ha
Close up showing exactly where the jade head was located with the skeleton
Shell jewelry found together with the Jade Head
An employee of NICH and also friend and customer of Corozal Bay Resort
Jade necklace found in same tomb where the Jade Head was located
Mayan Flint Tools found at Jade Head site
Clay Pottery from Altum Ha Jade Head tomb
Hundreds of Corozal Town school children waiting for their turn to see the Jade Head for the first time in their life
