The Maya recorded parts of their history and predictions in stone inscriptions that can be seen today in stelae and the remains of elaborate cities, buildings and temples that survived centuries of jungle encroachment. We have listed 6 of the most impressive Maya Ruins found in Belize.
Reports published in National Geographic News, Archaeology magazine and other sources, describe how teams of researchers have been diving into and working around cenotes, or deep sinkholes that the ancient Maya thought to be gateways to Xabalba, the sacred underworld throughout Belize. While recording and amassing a rich collection of fossils and artefacts at Cara Blanca, a team from the University of Illinois discovered a water temple complex where Maya pilgrims offered sacrifices to Chaak and other deities.
A group of researchers from Rice and Louisiana State Universities working in Great Blue Hole area believe they now have the answer of why the Mayan civilisation suddenly cease to exist. After analysing sediment samples from that beautiful, massive sinkhole popularised by Jacques Cousteau and located along Belize’s Great Barrier Reef, they’ve concluded that a hundred year drought put an end to this flourishing society.
The Chaa Creek Chocolatissimo Package offers sumptuously indulgent treatments including a sensuous Cacao Massage and delicious Chocolate Fondue Wrap. Combining luxurious accommodations with fine dining and healthy outdoor activities that reconnect you with nature, the Chocolatissimo Package takes a deliciously holistic approach towards making you look and feel your best.
Belize celebrates yet another Winter Solstice in the Heartland of the Maya. There will be celebrations and observances at various ancient Maya sites such as Tikal in Guatemala, Chichen Itza in Mexico, and at Caracol and Xunantunich here in Belize. One of the many wonderful things about living in the Mundo Maya, or Maya World as the area encompassing Belize and parts of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras is called, is this feeling of continuity spanning so many thousands of years.
As temperatures drop in northern climes, the tropics naturally start looking inviting – just ask the countless birds making their way down to Belize right now. There are many other reasons that make Belize the perfect winter destinations, and here’s five that immediately come to mind.
Belize Halloween is well and truly alive in this multicultural haven and there are enough local spooky characters to keep any child – or adult, for that matter – occasionally checking under the bed and questioning those strange sounds we hear at night.
Belize’s Maya and Indigenous Groups work together to stop US Capital Energy from conducting oil exploration and drilling in Belize’s otherwise pristine Sarstoon Temash National Park.
Indigenous Innovations: Revolutionizing the Cocoa Industry in Belize, is a project that is part of a radical new approach aimed at supporting small Maya communities by helping to boost production and then better market their ancestor’s favourite crop – cacao.
Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal cave has topped a “Sacred Places of a Lifetime” list compiled by National Geographic, bolstering Belize’s reputation as one of the world’s best cultural tourism destinations.
Mayan for “Stone maiden” Xunantunich is definitely one of Belize’s prettiest Maya archaeological sites, renowned for exquisite architecture, beautiful frescos and stelae, as well as its park-like atmosphere and stunning views from the top of El Castillo, the iconic pyramid temple. Xunantunich was an important ceremonial centre built around AD 600 near the end of the Maya Late Classic Period, boasting a population of some 10,000 people at its peak, and apparently continued to thrive while other Maya centres such as Tikal and Caracol were in decline. However by around 1000 AD Xunantunich was abandoned.
Huge Maya City found near Belize and Mexico border line: Noh Kah According to Mexican Newspapers the Archaeologists from the National Institue of Anthropology and … Read more
We mention this to explain our excitement about a recent find in northwestern Belize called Tulix Mu.
Belize Nohmul Mayan Ruin destruction is condemned by popular Belize Eco Lodge Chaa Creek “This is an obscene act that needs to be condemned in … Read more
The fear that Belize’s indigenous corn, which was first developed by the ancestors of Belize’s Maya population, will be threatened by the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in this tiny Caribbean country was just one of many concerns raised during a recent “GMO Awareness Month”, according to Belizean environmentalists at Chaa Creek.
“February and especially St Valentine’s Day has always been a big month for us here at Chaa Creek, and this year we’re offering even more special activities and tours aimed at giving couples a truly exceptional exotic getaway. Love will definitely be in the air all month long,” she said.
The Maya named this plant after the Goddess of the Forest and Healing, Ix-canan likely due to the abundant anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties used in treating a large variety of skin ailments. Everything from sores, ulcers, fungus, rashes, burns, insect bites, burns, and bee stings can be treated effectively with this natural plant remedy.
Rather than misinterpreting Maya beliefs to falsely predict the end of the world, researching and practicing ancient Maya medicine and natural healing techniques can open a new world of health today, noted author and Maya medicinal plant expert Dr. Rosita Arvigo advised participants at Chaa Creek’s 2012 Maya Winter Solstice celebrations.
“Surprise, surprise; we’re still here,” Mr Waight said as a large group of guests, staff members and their families, Chaa Creek’s owners and local villagers prepared for the procession to the ancient Maya temple of Tunichilen and an exuberant celebration to, as Mr Waight said, “Mark the end of one long cosmic cycle and the beginning of another.”
Mr Fleming, who with his wife Lucy began Chaa Creek as a small farm in the late 1970s and still manages the eco resort’s Maya Organic Farm, which uses traditional Maya agricultural techniques to supply vegetables to the Chaa Creek restaurant and local families, said people are often amazed to learn how productive the ancient Maya were as farmers.
Chaa Creek is Belize’s first true eco resort, having made the transition from small family farm to opening their first guest accommodation in 1981, just as Belize was achieving independence. Since then Chaa Creek has grown into a 365 acre private rainforest nature reserve with a natural History Centre, Maya Medicinal Plant Trail and Organic farm, a butterfly breeding farm, hilltop spa, conference centre, pool, a highly regarded restaurant and other amenities.
Belize’s The Lodge at Chaa Creek has just announced an exciting competition whose winners will usher in the Maya 2012 Winter Solstice by taking part in an extraordinary weeklong celebration to be held in the Heartland of the ancient Maya Empire.
“The 2012 Winter Solstice on December 21 is so important to Maya everywhere that we want to make sure it’s celebrated with the respect and energy it deserves. And his means that participants learn about the Maya culture generally, as well as the significance of the 2012 Winter Solstice. We want our guests, especially those taking advantage of the all-inclusive Belize Maya Winter Solstice Vacation packages, to get as much out of the experience as possible,” Mr Awe said.
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…
For several years world attention has been drawn to the 2012 Winter Solstice after a number of articles, internet posts and films, such as the Hollywood blockbuster 2012 highlighted the fact that the 13th Bak’tun of the Maya Long Count calendar completes its cycle on December 21 2012. The highly accurate ancient calendar, which gives the Maya a creation date of 11 August 3114 BC, has been a source of fascination for many scholars and, unfortunately, Ms Fleming said, for conspiracy and apocalypse buffs.
“Mayanists, archaeologists, anthropologists and other researchers love the Maya caves of Belize because they contain such rich, well preserved examples of the Maya’s spiritual rituals. I think it’s great that we’re now seeing more mainstream interest in the caves as they really open up another aspect of this incredibly rich culture, ” Mr Awe said, adding that ATM tours through Chaa Creek are all conducted with the highest regard for safety, education and cultural respect for the Maya.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist said that recent reports from a noted University of Texas scholar are an important addition to our understanding of the true history of the Maya. Speaking from Chaa Creek’s Natural History Centre, anthropologist Joe Awe said that he praised Dr David Stuart for an announcement he made June 28 that not only once again debunked Maya 2012 doomsday theories, but offed a unique interpretation of the significance of the December 21 2012 Winter Solstice date.
The banks are weak. This is a delicate moment for them. They could crash globally if we don’t pay attention. If the banks crash then we will be forced to rely on the land and our skills. The monetary systems will be in chaos, and we must then rely on our direct relationship with the Earth for our food and shelter. The North and South Poles are both breaking up. The level of the water in the oceans is going to rise. But at the same time land in the ocean, especially near Cuba, is also going to rise.
Dark chocolate may be a pleasant and effective way of delivering important dietary components that can provide health benefits to the ever increasing numbers of people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease,” researcher Christopher Reid, PhD, professor of cardiovascular epidemiology and preventive medicine at Monash University in Australia said this week
2012 The Mayan Word is both a message of hope and a call to action. Featuring testimonies from contemporary Mayans throughout Mesoamerica, from spiritual guides to activists, community leaders, farmers, artists, teachers, and children, this film is an extraordinary journey into the heart of Mayan struggle and spirituality.