Xunantunich

Xunantunich

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Xunantunich – Ancient Maya Archaeological Site and the Legend of the Stone Woman:

Xunantunich, pronounced [ʃunanˈtunitʃ], stands as a captivating Ancient Maya archaeological site situated in the western region of Belize, approximately 70 miles (110 km) west of Belize City within the Cayo District. Positioned atop a ridge overlooking the Mopan River, Xunantunich offers breathtaking views of the Guatemala border, a mere 0.6 miles (1 km) to the west. During the Late and Terminal Classic periods, it served as a vital Maya civic ceremonial center for the Belize Valley region, coinciding with a peak population of nearly 200,000 people in the Belize Valley.

The name “Xunantunich” translates to “Maiden of the Rock” in the Maya language, a combination of Mopan and Yucatec elements: Xunaan (Noble lady) and Tuunich (stone for sculpture). Like many names assigned to Maya archaeological sites, it is a contemporary designation; the ancient name remains unknown. The reference to the “Stone Woman” alludes to a spectral figure associated with the site, a legend that has persisted since 1892. This ghostly presence, dressed entirely in white with fiery-red glowing eyes, is said to materialize in front of “El Castillo,” ascend the stone stairs, and then mysteriously vanish into a stone wall.