High Temple - Lamanai by junge1

Photography • Historical • posted on Dec 17, 2010

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Description

The High Temple or El Castillo is the tallest of the three excavated and restored temples at the Lamanai site with a height of 33m. It was built in 100 AD and final modifications to the front in 600 - 700 AD give it its current appearance. Archaeologists believe this Mayan site was of moderate size as early as 1,500 BC and some of its later structures were occupied as recently as the 18th century AD, signifying over 3,200 years of occupation. Not like other ancient ruins, much of the archaeological site was built in layers. Successive populations built upon the temples of the ancestors, instead of destroying them. Of the 800 buildings within the complex, less than five percent have been excavated and explored. With a population exceeding 35,000 at the height of the city's power, Lamanai's trading influence extended over the borders of present-day Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Belize. I did not climb this temple because the steps were tall and steep. This picture was taken on 27 November 2010. Thank you for viewing and commenting, Sig...

Comments (32)

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Faemike55

10:34PM | Fri, 17 December 2010

Great capture, Sig! Looks like a great place to explore

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kgb224

11:14PM | Fri, 17 December 2010

Stunning capture my friend.

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Minda

11:23PM | Fri, 17 December 2010

wow! very beautiful place sig and Great info...

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MagikUnicorn

11:27PM | Fri, 17 December 2010

G O R G E O U S

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Meisiekind

12:31AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Incredible sight Sig and one that just a few privileged are likely to see! Thank you for sharing your Mayan experience. I might not comment (working crazy hours) but I am enjoying it thoroughly!

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auntietk

1:01AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

I'm with you. Stay at the bottom and look up ... the pov is outstanding from there! :) Going up is no problem, but a lack of depth perception makes coming back down a bit of a challenge. I love the natural framing you've gotten with the palm fronds and trees. Excellent work!

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VEDES

1:19AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

VERY GOOD CAPTURE,BRAVO!!

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PSDuck

1:22AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Beautiful photo! My wife and I climbed the Pyramid to the Moon in Teotehuacan a little time ago. Very steep steps, indeed! The real trick was the "coming down" part! Most people chose to reverse-climb like a monkey (on all fours) to maintain traction and perspective. A header down the steps could easily prove fatal.

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bazza

1:47AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Lovely shot of the temple would love to visit it..

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junge1

1:52AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

@PSDuck. You are right. I had hip surgery in June and I didn't want to take any unnecessary chances. Most people that went up came down the 'reverse-climb'.

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farmerC

4:04AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Fantastic Shot.

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lyron

5:49AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Great picture!!

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njb2000

7:10AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Lovely Jungle temple hard to believe that only 5% of the site has been enervated. I have visited a lot of the temples on the East coast of Mexico but have only spent a couple of days in Belize, Maybe next time!

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moochagoo

8:16AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

A quite big one !

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casmindo

8:19AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Nice capture, you can get the feeling of all the history that just surrounds and hangs on to this site!

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thecytron

8:22AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Great shot!

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flavia49

10:39AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Fabulous picture and series!! I like Mayan art a lot! Happy Holidays!!

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renecyberdoc

10:40AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

most excellent and impressive shot sig.

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bugatti

10:52AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Great. I have been several times in maya area, but never there ...

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drifterlee

11:04AM | Sat, 18 December 2010

Really beautiful shot!!!!!!

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emmecielle

12:26PM | Sat, 18 December 2010

You did well not to go... the descent would have been even more difficult! :) Fantastic image and interesting info! :)

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flora-crassella

1:29PM | Sat, 18 December 2010

wonderful photo!

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billcody

5:10PM | Sat, 18 December 2010

I agree with AuntiTK! Good POV, as ever, the palm trres sorrounding the pic are very well done. And we can see the whole building with all its high very well. The bottom POV is the better in my opinion.

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