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Elaborate
Tomb at the Summit of Caana |
Caracol is Belize’s largest known ancient Mayan city,
covering over twenty square miles, sitting high on a plateau
some 500 meters above sea level. Located in the Chiquibul
Forest Reserve, it is one of the largest in the entire Maya
world.
From Mountain Pine Ridge, on the way to Caracol, you will
pass the Rio On Pools. As the road continues past the Douglas
DeSilva Forest Station in Augustine, you will cross the
Guacamallo Bridge. This low bridge crosses the Macal River
into the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Plans are currently underway
to upgrade the road to Caracol, but it is easily accessible
in the dry season, and accessible only with a four-wheel
drive vehicle in the rainy season.
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Visitor's
Center |
Caracol was discovered in 1937 by Rosa Mai, a mahogany logger.
The official archaeologist of the then British Honduras,
A.H. Anderson, later visited the site and named it Caracol
(Spanish for snail), because of the numerous snail shells
found there. Most of his documented findings were lost in
the 1961 hurricane that hit Belize City, Hurricane Hattie.
In 1983, Paul Healy of Trent University in Canada discovered
that Caracol was a lot more important than originally anticipated.
Studies continued into the 1990’s by Arlen and Diane
Chase of the University of Central Florida. Today, the most
recent excavation and restoration work is being conducted
under the Tourism Development Project by Belizean Archaeology
Coordinator, Dr. Jaime Awe.
Indications are that Caracol was inhabited about AD 300.
By AD 700, it is expected that over 200,000 people occupied
the area. There is no natural water source in the area,
but the irrigation system is quite extensive. The reservoirs
that were built hundreds of years ago are still being used
today by the archaeologists of the sites.
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Observing
carved stelae |
Carved stelae describe victories by Caracol over Tikal in
AD 562, and Naranjo in AD 631. Later discoveries indicate
even more communication between the central lowland Maya
and their neighbors. Caana (Sky Place) is Caracol’s
tallest structure (and tallest man-made structure in Belize),
and stands 140 feet above the plaza floor, topped with three
additional temples. Over 100 tombs have been found, that
of an adult woman (believed to be the wife of Lord Water
– the ruler who conquered Tikal) was best preserved.
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Large
stucco mask |
In plaza B, facing Caana, several large stucco masks have
been discovered on Structure B5, depicting Tlaloc, the Mexican
god of rain and lightening, as well as jaguars. Also recently
restored, and very well preserved are the Barrios, or living
quarters, as well as the observatory. When this city was
populated, an internal road system (sacbeob, meaning roads)
served as routes for transportation and communication. The
social organization of Caracol included all levels of society.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
