Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Not just another top 10 list on Belize.  This one was written by Cayo's Larry Waight, and while Cayo is conspicuously absent from the list - hopefully his next article is 100 things to do in Cayo - some of our Mayan archaeological sites are mentioned under the heading, Belize is the epicenter of the ancient Maya world.  Give the Huffington Post article a read when you get a chance.

"Archaeologists estimate that more than one million Maya lived in present day Belize and flourished during the Classic Period from 300 to 900 AD.  Maya temple sites like Caracol, Xunantunich, Altun Ha, Cahal Pech and Lamanai are just a few of the spectacular sites that can be discovered in Belize."

The Central Bank of Belize is going to have special 2012 coins made for collectors, and they are going to be worth more than just a dollar.  Does that say $250?

"The front of the coin displays drawings from the Hokeb Ha vase depicting the hero twins described in the Popol Vuh (Maya sacred book).  The hero twins are in conversation, dressed simply in kilts, necklaces, ear flares and featured white cloth headdresses.  The glyphs in the centre of the figures represent the Maya Mythical ‘End of the World’ date.  This date, according to archaeologists, completes a ‘great cycle’ of 13 baktuns (periods of 144,000 days each) since the mythical creation date of the pre-Columbian Maya calendar.  The back of the coins depicts the Jade Head discovered in a large tomb at Altun Ha, a Maya archaeological site.  This tomb housed the remains of an elderly adult believed to be an elite ruler during his lifetime.  For the Mayas, jade was the most prized of all stones.  The Jade Head remains the largest single carved object yet discovered in the Mundo Maya (Maya World).  This exquisite carving represents the Maya sun god, Kinich Ahau, one of the most important deities of the Maya pantheon.  The Jade Head, which became known as the Crown Jewel of Belize weights 9.75 pounds, stands almost 6 inches high, and is representative of an era between A.D. 600 and 650. "

Caracol and Xunantunich both made tripadvisor.com's top 10 list for Central American landmarks.  Caracol was ranked 4th place, and Xunantunich was 7th.  There were 4 other Mayan sites listed, with Altun Ha in the 8th place and Tikal next door in Guatemala on the list twice.