Altun Ha — Temple of the Masonry Altars (Belize)
Altun Ha · Temple of the Masonry Altars · Structure B-4
Preclassic to Postclassic (400 BCE–1000 CE)·Maya (Belize coastal lowland)·🇧🇿 Belize District, Belize
About
About Altun Ha — Temple of the Masonry Altars (Belize)
Quintessential Classic Maya trade capital (400 BCE–900 CE) on Belize coastal plain 50 km north of Belize City, built on 6 m artificial elevation. Temple of the Masonry Altars (Structure B-4) is 16 m stepped pyramid (50x40 m base) with sanctuary atop housing 7 construction phases; altars embedded in floors. Famed for 1968 discovery inside B-4 of 15-cm jade head of Sun God Kinich Ahau (9.7 lbs, largest carved jade in Maya world). Plaza A and B complexes hold Temple of Green Tomb (A1) with elite tombs. Harbor trade linked to Lamanai via river.
Why it mattersLargest Maya jade artifact; coastal-inland trade node linking Petén to Caribbean; type-site Belize settlement pattern.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Source of jade — Guatemalan Motagua vs trade network gap
Theories
- 01Temple altars as calendar observatory for Venus-linked trade timing
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.300 BCE–900 CE, B-4 pyramid Classic 600–800 CE
- Period
- Preclassic to Postclassic (400 BCE–1000 CE)
- Culture
- Maya (Belize coastal lowland)
- Builders
- Maya (Altun Ha polity)
- Purpose
- Port-capital dynastic pyramid and treasury for jade trade monopoly
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.300 BCE–900 CE, B-4 pyramid Classic 600–800 CE
Initial construction
c. 1316 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
17.7645° N · 88.3473° W · 45 m · 2 mapped features
Temple of the Masonry Altars B-4
pyramid16 m stepped pyramid with 7 phases and jade head cache, eastern Plaza B
17.7645° N · 88.3473° WTemple of the Green Tomb A1
pyramid17 m pyramid-temple over rich tomb west of B-4 across central plaza
17.7638° N · 88.3478° W
Gallery