Cahal Pech, a Maya ruin which sits on a hill near the banks of the Macal River overlooking San Ignacio, is one of the oldest Maya sites still in existence in Belize. Home to a royal Maya family, the site has 34 structures including pyramid temples, palaces, and a ball court. On two acres, the site was settled by 1000 B.C. and abandoned around 800 A.D.In the 1950s, archaeologists named it Cahal Pech or “place of ticks” for it had been used as a cattle pasture; however, ticks are no longer an issue.
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| On the trail entering Cahal Pech, toucans were spotted high in the rain forest canopy. Click on the photo link to see another view. | Many of the Maya ruins have only been partially excavated.
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Steps leading to Mayan temple.
| Another view.
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View of the administration building from above.
| Archway
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Passageway.
| Close-up of passageway
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Arched doorway.
| Late Preclassic temple in the main plaza |
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| Cahal Pech houses a small museum with excellent artifacts from the Maya culture. | Incense Burner. |
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is an early vessel with inscriptions. I was limited in my ability to
photograph the artifacts because they were behind glass and using a flash was
not allowed.
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I was very excited to be able to photograph one of the
earliest carved stela discovered in Belize. Stela are ancient stone slabs or
pillars which usually have been engraved, inscribed, or painted, and set
upright to honor a ruler.
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