It consists of seven plazas and a large temple-like structure at the center. It was fun to walk around and see the impressive construction. Blocks/cut stones cemented into place. rooms with ventilation shafts, and cut channels in the stone to divert and collect rainfall.
One of the smaller plazas was the royal residence. This was our favorite part--with lots of rooms to explore and evidence of smart engineering.
Although one of the smaller sites in Belize/Guatemala, it was still impressive. There was even a ball court. In which they played a game where you had to get a ball through a hoop. contrary to popular belief, the ball was made of rubber (an Olmec discovery) not cement. And you didn't want to be the loosing team, as it is believed that the team captain would be killed--talk about sudden death!
So it was a fun experience. Although we don't know where the Nephite civilization was, it is good to have a better mental picture of what it was like in Book of Mormon times. These people may not have been Nephites or Lamanites, but they most likely lived like them. An interesting thing to consider--on a time line posted at the vistor's center there was something that caught my attention. Between 600 B.C. - 400 B.C. several cultures merged and the first temple structures started to appear. Now although it doesn't prove anything, I doubt that it was a mere coincidence.
The Royal Plaza - the royal family residence was in this area
A rain gutter
A main spillway off the back of the structure
Steep set of stairways leading between 2 different plazas
Stairway leading up to the Main Plaza
Sounds very interesting. Thanks for keeping us posted.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having too much fun. We thought you were supposed to be working.
Mom & Dad