MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF BELIZE
Recently "discovered" in 1984, Uxbenka is noted for its more than 20 stelae, at least 7 of which are carved. One of these carved stelae is dated to the Early Classic Period, an otherwise non-existent date in Southern Belize, and a rare date for stelae in all the Maya area. The site itself sits on a ridge overlooking the beautiful Maya Village of Santa Cruz and affording a grand panoramic view of the foothills and valleys of the Maya Mountains. As is typical of the sites in the Toledo District, the hillsides have been faced with cut stones so that they resemble massive structures. The name is Maya for " old place" and was given to the site by the people of Santa Cruz.
Uxbenka lies just outside the village of Santa Cruz, situated about 3 miles west of San Antonio Village. Although transport trucks travel from Punta Gorda Town to these villages on Saturdays, a rented vehicle would be more convenient. Accomodations can be had in the Village of San Antonio and in Punta Gorda Town.
Southern Complex Connection
Uxbenka ("Ancient Place") does not possess the large- scale architecture of Lubaantun nor the high degree of preservation of carved monuments of Nim Li Punit. However, the practice of transforming hills by facing and terracing them such that they appear wholly man-made is particularly striking here and is almost exclusively a feature of the southern sites.
Uxbenka ("Ancient Place") does not possess the large- scale architecture of Lubaantun nor the high degree of preservation of carved monuments of Nim Li Punit. However, the practice of transforming hills by facing and terracing them such that they appear wholly man-made is particularly striking here and is almost exclusively a feature of the southern sites.
The Site
Uxbenka is a small ceremonial centre located on a natural hill and consists of one main ceremonial plaza on the levelled-off summit of the hill with smaller plazas lower down on the slopes and at the base of the hill. Six structures ring the edges of the central plaza. Twenty- one stelae, six of which are carved, are situated within the central and smaller plazas. The tallest building is the northern structure which rises approximately eight metres (27 ft.) above the plaza.
The front of the hill on which the site is built is, as we have seen, faced with cut stones and terraced, creating an artificial effect. It is estimated that outlying structures extend two to three kilometres (1.25 - 2 miles) in a radius around the central area of the site.
Archaeological workThe existence of Uxbenka was first made known to the Department of Archaeology in 1984 when Mr. Placido Ash, caretaker-guide at Nim Li Punit, checked out a report of looting near the village of Santa Cruz, Toledo District, and found two sculpted stelae.
Richard Leventhal, engaged in a regional survey, received permission from the Department of Archaeology to survey, turn over monuments and perform salvage excavations at the site. Over a period of several days a provisional map was produced, monuments were, with the help of the British army, turned over to see if the reverse sides were carved and one damaged tomb was excavated.
A caretaker from the village of Santa Cruz was hired to protect the newly-bushed site and to receive visitors wishing to explore it.
Uxbenka is a small ceremonial centre located on a natural hill and consists of one main ceremonial plaza on the levelled-off summit of the hill with smaller plazas lower down on the slopes and at the base of the hill. Six structures ring the edges of the central plaza. Twenty- one stelae, six of which are carved, are situated within the central and smaller plazas. The tallest building is the northern structure which rises approximately eight metres (27 ft.) above the plaza.
The front of the hill on which the site is built is, as we have seen, faced with cut stones and terraced, creating an artificial effect. It is estimated that outlying structures extend two to three kilometres (1.25 - 2 miles) in a radius around the central area of the site.
Archaeological workThe existence of Uxbenka was first made known to the Department of Archaeology in 1984 when Mr. Placido Ash, caretaker-guide at Nim Li Punit, checked out a report of looting near the village of Santa Cruz, Toledo District, and found two sculpted stelae.
Richard Leventhal, engaged in a regional survey, received permission from the Department of Archaeology to survey, turn over monuments and perform salvage excavations at the site. Over a period of several days a provisional map was produced, monuments were, with the help of the British army, turned over to see if the reverse sides were carved and one damaged tomb was excavated.
A caretaker from the village of Santa Cruz was hired to protect the newly-bushed site and to receive visitors wishing to explore it.
Locale and Access
Uxbenka is situated about 15 km. (9 miles) east of the Guatemalan border in the Toledo District foothills of the Maya Mountains. The hill on which it is constructed overlooks the countryside for at least five miles around. In order to reach Uxbenka one travels west from San Antonio, the largest Maya settlement in Toledo District, towards Santa Cruz village, reaching Uxbenka half a kilometre (.33 mile) before entering Santa Cruz. Vegetation along the way varies between jungle foliage and milpa crops; streams provide the chance to bathe en route. There are no facilities at the site itself.
Uxbenka is situated about 15 km. (9 miles) east of the Guatemalan border in the Toledo District foothills of the Maya Mountains. The hill on which it is constructed overlooks the countryside for at least five miles around. In order to reach Uxbenka one travels west from San Antonio, the largest Maya settlement in Toledo District, towards Santa Cruz village, reaching Uxbenka half a kilometre (.33 mile) before entering Santa Cruz. Vegetation along the way varies between jungle foliage and milpa crops; streams provide the chance to bathe en route. There are no facilities at the site itself.
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