The Maya began as hunter gatherers in Mesoamerica, but from 1800 BC the culture began expanding rapidly and developed sophisticated agricultural, aquaculture and animal husbandry techniques to feed populations as large as Caracol’s peak of some 180,000 thousand people. While meat was not central to their diet, they hunted rainforest wildlife and domesticated animals. Turkey, known as ulum, was a favourite domesticated and wild food. Turkey was, and remains a Maya favourite in soups and other dishes, and Chef Mario said it will…

As reported here earlier, members of Belizean Maya villages have raising concerns in the international community over what they see as yet another serious threat to their culture and livelihood through the illegal logging of rosewood from rainforests in Belize’s Toledo District.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Yucatan Banded Gecko which is scientifically known as the Coleonyx elegans. These small nocturnal lizards live primarily in rocky habitats and are strictly terrestrial with very elegant skin marks and red brown skin.

Chocolate, long referred to in Belize as “the food of the gods”, is also known as the food of love, and features prominently during Chaa Creek’s Valentine’s Month of Love celebrations, according to the eco resort’s food and beverage manager Bryony Fleming.

Today’s Belize Photo of the Day is the Maya Harp. The Maya Harp is beautifully hand crafted and was an integral part of the Maya society since it was used for religious and healing ceremonies and for cultural and entertainment purposes.

After years of hosting legitimate archaeological research within its 365 acre nature reserve and through its Natural History Centre, Chaa Creek Maya research coordinators said they are astounded by the revelations surrounding news of the so-called Comalcalco brick discovered in Mexico.
Some of the startling finds could indicate an ancient Roman presence in the region thousands of years before Columbus’s arrival.

Many people will be visiting Belize to take part in the historic Maya celebrations and cultural activities running throughout the Belize Maya 2012 observations , and we can only hope that this will result in greater awareness and respect for our natural heritage. The ancient Maya produced beautiful works of art and craftsmanship that are best appreciated in their natural home where they can continue to be shared with the world.

In a sign-of-the-times story, the giant convenience food company, Kellogg’s of Battle Creek, Michigan, is demanding that the non-profit Maya Archaeology Initiative (MAI) cease and desist from using a distinctive toucan logo the Maya organisation has designed.

Maya archeology in Belize continues to reveal more insights into this fascinating, enigmatic culture, and discoveries at sites such as the huge metropolis of Caracol, in Belize’s Chiquibul National Forest promise to keep adding to our knowledge of ancient Maya civilisation and cosmology.