Overview:

Caracol Canaa (also known as Canaa, El Caracol, the Wooden Hill, or the Adam Rowe Site) is a Mayan archaeological site located in the southwest of Belize. The site includes the second largest pyramid in Belize, standing at 140 feet tall. It is a part of the larger Caracol Archaeological Reserve, a 205-square-kilometre (79 sq mi) area that protects the ruins and surrounding areas that have not been cleared. The site is best known for its large plazas, royal palaces, and two major temples—the Canaa Pyramid, the tallest pyramid in Belize, and the Temple of the Masonry Altars. The site is believed to have been settled as early as the 6th century CE and before the Classic Maya collapse around 900 CE. The site was abandoned until 2009 when it was excavated and restored with funding from the Maya Conservation Trust. It is now open to visitors and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Belize. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. Caracol is the largest Mayan archaeological site in Belize, boasting an impressive array of buildings including temples, plazas, tombs, and a road network. 2. Canaa is the largest pyramid at Caracol and stands at an impressive 135 feet tall – making it larger and taller than some of the other more famous pyramids in nearby countries. 3. The architecture of the Canaa Pyramid stands out due to its stepped design, which gives it a total height of 135 feet. 4. Canaa is also one of the oldest structures at Caracol and is believed to have been built around 100 A.D. 5. The pyramid has also borne the brunt of many battles, with most of the surviving structures showing evidence of destruction due to fire and battle. 6. Today, Canaa provides visitors with the opportunity to explore some of the unique features of Caracol, such as its ceremonial plazas and temples. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Caracol Canaa Pyramid is an ancient Maya pyramid located in the archaeological site of Caracol, Belize. This pyramid is the largest structure at the Caracol site and is believed to have been the royal palace for the ancient Maya city. The pyramid is believed to have been constructed around 800 A.D. and its height is thought to have been around 140 feet. During its peak, Caracol is believed to have been the largest Maya city in Belize. It is located in the mountains of the Chiquibul National Park and is covered by thick rainforest vegetation. The site of Caracol was first visited and documented by Robert H. Linton in 1938 while exploring the jungle on behalf of the British government. Linton was the first to identify the site as important and it was soon brought to the attention of archaeologists who set to work on the site. In the 1950s, the remains of the pyramid were excavated by David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum. Pendergast discovered that the pyramid had once been constructed in four stages and he concluded that the entire area was likely once used as the royal palace. Artifacts discovered from the site include stone columns, stucco carvings, and incense burners which provide insight into the religious and ceremonial activities that occurred on the site. In the decades since, the site has been studied and excavations have continued. Caracol is one of the most extensively studied Maya sites in the region and its pyramid has come to be a major draw for new and returning visitors. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Caracol Canaa Pyramid is the largest Mayan ruin in Belize and one of the largest in Central America. 2. It was one of the most dominant cities in the Yucatan region and reached the height of its power between 600 and 800 AD. 3. The pyramid is 140 feet tall and has steps that go nearly all the way up. 4. There are two plazas around the pyramid, which are connected to one another by a single stairway. 5. A single reservoir can be found at the foot of the pyramid, while the base was once covered rather inexplicably in red paint. 6. The site was first discovered by the Maya in the 1880s. 7. Archaeologists believed they found evidence of 33 separate buildings at the Caracol Canaa Pyramid, although only 30 of these have been fully excavated. 8. The Belizean government protect the ruins from looters. Local law enforcement protect the ruins from looters. 9. In 1958, the forest at Caracol Canaa was declared a protected National Park to preserve the history of the area. 10. The Mayan ruins at Caracol Canaa are fascinating and bring to life the life and culture of the ancient Maya. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.