Xunantunich Maya Site

Xunantunich means "Stone Woman" in the Maya language (Mopan and Yucatec combination name), and, like many names given to Maya archaeological sites, is a modern name; the ancient name is currently unknown. The "Stone Woman" refers to the ghost of a woman claimed by several people to inhabit the site, beginning in 1892. The Stone Woman is dressed completely in white, and has fire-red glowing eyes. She generally appears in front of El Castillo,  ascends the stone stairs and disappears into a stone wall.

 I took many pictures while we were here but somehow I missed a picture of the main temple that we climbed up to the top (I grabbed one online).

 

 We had to cross the river in order to travel to the site.  All vehicles had to be loaded onto this ferry (empty of people) and then all visitors had to stand on the ferry around the vehicles.

 Once everyone was loaded this guy had to turn this huge crank all the way across.  

You would never have to go to the gym for arm day if this was your job!

 We were greeted by this amazing Howler Monkey up in the tree.

I wish that I had a recording of them howling.  

You would be amazed how loud they can be, you can hear them from miles away.

This is the Strangler Fig. 

The fig grows on the tree and strangles the host tree until it dies.

 

Everyone must walk past the merchant areas and up these stairs in order to reach the temple ruins.

 This temple was built in the center plaza area after the large temple was built.

 This structure was likely where merchants did much of their business.

 This is a ruin mound that is currently being excavated.

A termite nest up in the trees.

 Mayan Ball Court

Herbie (our guide), Dion and Alice (my friends)

"El Castillo"

This massive structure is a large multi-complex building that served as dwelling, shrine and administrative hub for the elite rulers of the center. 

 The eastern and western summit of El Castillo have large stucco friezes with carved elements that represent astronomical symbols, the sun god, moon and Venus.

(We are half-way to the top)

Excavation work behind the "El Castillo" temple.

We have made it half way to the top.

 

Look who has decided to make this his new home.

A view from the top, absolutely beautiful!

You can see all the way to the Guatemala border from this view!

 

 This is were they held religious ceremonies and sacrifices.

 

On our trip back across the river we saw this fun site.  There is an entire line of small bats hanging on the underside of this tree branch.  You can see all the little black dots on the bottom of the branch.  I have never seen this many all in one location.

Here is a map of the Xunantunich Mayan site.