Video: Documentary Filmed in Belize at Lower Dover, Cahal Pech, and Caracol about Maya Equinox Celebration

Last September we went to the Maya city of Caracol for the Fall Equinox celebration that was being preformed by a Maya Itza Leader from Peten Guatemala. It was a very special event that we were extremely fortunate to witness and document on film. Hopefully the Belize Film Festival will accept the picture so we have an excuse to visit Belize City for the party.

The Maya leaders told us we must stay up all night if we were to experience the ritual the proper way.  Pretty plainly this was the most trying part of the trip because we were not planning on staying up, but camping and waking up before dawn for the fire ceremony. Special thanks to the park ranger Mike for sharing his coffee and making it possible.

Also we would like to thank John Chuc of Kin Winik Tours, Dr. Jamie Awe from Belize Archaeology, Maria Garcia from San Antonio Village, and especially the Marimba players from Succotz who got up at 3:30am to start jamming until the ceremony was finished after sunrise and the fire was out. Finally our condolences to the family and friends of Don Beto Cocom who was supposed to be there holding hands with us.

Outside of the trip to Caracol, the documentary contains some interviews with our family and a bit of archaeology talk about the possible correlation between Lower Dover and the Maya city of Cahal Pech located in San Ignacio.

 

Bird Trifecta at Lower Dover Jungle Lodge

Yesterday we were doing a little afternoon bird watching near the cabanas at Lower Dover Belize Jungle Lodge. The birding was excellent near the Horseballs Tree that was bearing ripe fruits. Horseballs is also known as Grandpa’s balls by some locally. Imaginations are creative here in Central America.

At first we spotted this Red Crowned or perhaps Red Throated Ant-Tanager. Birds of Belize claims the Red-Crowned Ant Tanager is rare or absent in the lowlands, but based on the photos we believe this is what we saw.

Both the male and female version of the tropical birds were seen eating the inner orange fruit. The female seemed to be the lighter version of the Ant Tanagers. Birds of Belize claims that both birds are best identified in direct comparison. To the best of our knowledge these were only one bird species.

That was until the Golden Fronted Woodpecker decided to stop by and enjoy the fresh fruit feast.

Lower Dover Jungle Lodge in Belize has an excellent Medicinal Plant Trail along Little Barton Creek. Each of our clearly identified mature plants, trees, and vines of the Maya has large signs that these birds contently landed on for a photograph.

Then we hit the bird trifecta when a Toucan stopped overhead and made sure his photo made the web this week.

The Maya used this medicinal tree for removing the larvae of botfly. When the outside of the fruit is punctured a very strong latex substance is secreted. This latex is used to suffocate the botfly and allow for easy removal.

As you can see it is also a one of the many mature trees we have to attract bright tropical birds in close for a great photos. The large trees make birding at Lower Dover much easier, and the jungle hike on the Maya Plant Trail more memorable.

Agouti a.k.a. Gibnut Pictures from Jungle Hike at Lower Dover

Gibnut eating seeds on hiking trail at Lower Dover Belize Jungle Lodge

Early this morning we witnessed a rather large gibnut eating seeds from the Guanacaste tree near the edge of the deciduous rain forest at Lower Dover Belize Jungle Lodge. We were giving a tour of the Maya ruins and medicinal plant trail when this bush meat delicacy stepped across the jungle path.

Royal rat, suitable for Queen Elizabeth II

When Queen Elizabeth II famously visited Belize during her tour of the country in 1985 Gibnut was the main course. Today some in the country still call it the “royal rat” because of this. Still agouti meat is prized by hunters and the animal is threatened for that very reason.

Wildlife photos are always possible when hiking the jungle trails at Lower Dover

Gibnuts enjoy the 100 acres of jungle habitat at Lower Dover because of the abundance in food and direct access to water on three sides. It is not uncommon to see evidence of paca (as it is known in the rest of the world) surrounding the forest floor. Their primary food source here is the Cohune Palm nut, which is very rich in oil content. This is one main reason for the unique and sought after taste for special Belizean occasions. We only shoot with cameras at Lower Dover Jungle Lodge so you will never taste it here, but ask around in local circles and they are sure to point you in the right direction depending on how badly you want it…

Lower Dover Belize Jungle Lodge – Bird’s Eye View

Photo Tour from Western Belize – El Pilar Maya Monuments

**ALL WORDS & INFORMATION BELOW COPIED FROM SIGNS POSTED AT PARK**

Known timeline at El Pilar:

1000 B.C. – First Established occupation across the Maya forest

700 B.C. (Early  Pre-Classic) – First public monuments established at El Pilar

• First constructions at Xikna
• Earliest occupation of Tzunu’un household
• First occupation of Tikal – 30 miles west

250 B.C. (Pre-Classic) – Public monuments at  Tikal constructed

• Plaza Copal designed and completed at El Pilar
• Xikna expanded at El Pilar
• Development of Plaza Axcanan at El Pilar
• Major occupation of the El Pillar area

250 A.D. (Early Classic) – Tikal emerges as regional power center in Maya forest

• Maintenance and stability at El Pilar
• Construction at Plaza Jobo at El Pilar

600 A.D. (Late-Classic)

• Major construction on Xikna at El Pilar
• Tikal re-assumes regional power in Maya forest

800 A.D. (Terminal Classic)

• 869 A.D. – Last dated construction at Tikal
• Continued construction at El Pilar until 1000 A.D.

One of the defining features of El Pilar is how the site blends the archaeological monuments of yesterday with the Maya forest of today. This philosophy is easily visible in the main plazas where you can walk beneath the canopy.

Plaza Copal was established in a major phase of development during the Late Pre-Classic period (250 BC – 250 AD). This represents an incredible focus of work and effort, demonstrating the power and importance of El Pilar as a regional center.The buildings around the plaza were repeatedly remodeled over nearly 2 millenia and reached their final appearance in the Late Classic Maya period (600 – 900 AD)

Plazas are an integral part of sites throughout Mesoamerica. These open, easily accessible plazas were important public areas, and served as ceremonial centers and meeting places. Other more enclosed plazas, such as Axcanan, represent exclusive areas within centers of power. Plazas have often been cleared to provide a full view of the monuments.

The majestic temples of the Maya still rule over the forest, a thousand years after they were abandoned. Archaeological research has focused on these ceremonial centers, but where were the living places of the Maya populace? At El Pilar, there is an example of both the power elite and the domestic household. Maya temples were designed and built, they redesigned and rebuilt, over and over again in many phases of construction, creating layers, much like an onion. For example, Xikna was remodeled over 1700 years. Temples are grouped around plazas and usually face the cardinal directions: North, East, South, and West.

Wooden staircase to Maya temple view

Although many of the monuments at El Pilar have been excavated, most of them remain covered by the forest. When archaeologists expose monuments at El Pilar, they use selective restoration  a method that requires less maintenance that complete reconstruction. All exposed monuments must endure the heat and moisture of the tropics, which deteriorate the limestone once it has been exposed. When the Maya inhabited the site, the monuments were plastered and maintained by a fleet of civil servants who would repair the stucco, paint the surfaces, and clean the grounds. Today, El Pilar must rely on the work of a few park rangers to care for all of the structures.

Grave wall at Xikna – El Pilar

In 1983 before restoration a Maya milpa (or farm) existed in Plaza Copal, which was full of corn and clear of trees. Today stands 30 years of jungle rejuvenation.

Plaza Copal at El Pilar

Old School Railing design circa 1000 B.C. Maya

Basket Tie-Tie Rope lashing securing the natural wood railings

Don’t be another Maya sacrifice, watch your step down!

The trees of Plaza Copal range from 8-20 meters and provide an excellent habitat for the many diverse species of birds who live here. Furthermore  as you can feel, the shade provided by these trees makes El Pilar a cool respite in the hot, humid tropics. Encouraging the forest canopy at El Pilar makes the reserve more enjoyable for tourists and inviting for wildlife.

Basket Tie Tie Maya designed bench – natural fibers straight from the jungle vine!

Approximately 800 meters to the west of Plaza Copal is the plaza complex of Pilar Poniente.The western area of El Pilar lies in what is now Guatemala. The two sides of El Pilar were joined by a causeway that runs almost due west and was plastered over in much in the same way of the plazas. The causeway is still visible but covered by thick jungle and and unguarded border crossing!

Wildlife Photos of El Pilar – Lizard on a tree

Orchids in the Canopy

Young Strangler Fig Tree / Vine

Looters Trench in Maya Monument

Looters trench and tree vines – El Pilar

Sotzna Tunnel – El Pilar Archaeological Reserve

Enterance to Maya tunnel at El Pilar Maya Settlement in Cayo District, Belize

Stepping inside a dark Maya tunnel without a torch!

Excavated and reconstructed Maya tunnel between temples

Plaza Jobo – El Pilar Maya Tour in Western Belize

Royal Residence – El Pilar Maya Site

Reconstructed Maya limestone wall

Arched doorway unique to Maya elite residence

Stone bench inside Maya elite room

View from the top of Kin structure, looking down into elite structure

Arched doorway from inside the Maya room

Kin Maya Temple – El Pilar, Belize

Lookout view of Guatemala from Kin Structure at El Pilar Belize Maya Monument

Birds Without Borders Birding hike at El Pilar, Belize

Maya tour signs are available for self-guided tours

The Maya houses were grouped around plazas or patios where daytime events took place.  Each structure faced onto the patio, was built to suit specific needs of the family, and serve domestic purposes. The family compound had an eastern shrine that served their local spiritual needs. The large southern building was suited for receptions. The northern spacious structure would be comfortable for privacy, relaxation, and sleeping. Other buildings are imagined to be fore other household needs like kitchen and storage.

Tzunu’un Maya thatch house with choune tree leaf and tie tie rope

Tzunu’un Maya stone house structure at El Pilar

The Maya Forest Garden at El Pilar

Diagram of the Maya Forest Garden Polyculture Theory by Dr. Anabel Ford

The Maya lived on the same land for thousands of years supporting a population far greater than current density. The Maya Garden at El Pilar demonstrates how the ancient Maya may have worked the land.

Maya Garden Flower

Maya tree identification signs

Maya tree in the forest garden – “Pacaya”

For more information on El Pilar and the archaeology seen there visit the BRASS website.

http://www.marc.ucsb.edu/elpilar/