Belize
Belize
Belize
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
III.<br />
History, Culture and Human Resources<br />
III-A. ARCHAEOLOGY<br />
The :v1aya civilization-thl! greatest pre·Columbian<br />
civilization known to modl!rn man -flourished in northern<br />
Middle America for more than I .000 years. It is only paral.<br />
leled among other nations by the continuous cultural tradi·<br />
tion of the Chinese (Burland 1970. p. 105). During the<br />
Classic Period (250·YOO AD) the Maya population in what<br />
is now <strong>Belize</strong> is estimated to have been between 400.000<br />
an d one million (J. Borie k and W. Branche. pers. comm.).<br />
The Maya legacy includes several hundred archaeological<br />
sites in <strong>Belize</strong>. almost exclusively in limestone areas. Only<br />
five sites Altun Ha. Xunantunich (Fig. 111·1). Cerros.<br />
Figure 111-1. - Archaeological site Xunantunich showing restored stucco frieze of astronomical significance. Current<br />
research atthe site includes geophysical and remote sensing. (See Table 111-1 and Appendiy A) (photo L.<br />
Nicolait)<br />
21
Change language