Xunantunich is an ancient archaeological site located in western Belize, near the Guatemala border. It was a prominent Maya civic ceremonial center during the Late and Terminal Classic periods, around 700 to 900 AD. At its peak, nearly 200,000 people lived in the Belize Valley.
The name Xunantunich translates to "Maiden of the Rock" in the local Maya languages. The term "Stone Woman" refers to a ghost reportedly residing at the site since 1892. Witnesses describe her as a woman dressed entirely in white with glowing red eyes. She is said to appear near El Castillo, a significant structure within the site, before ascending its stone stairs and disappearing into a wall.
Excavations at Xunantunich began in the mid-1890s, led by British archaeologist Thomas Gann. He was followed by Sir J. Eric S. Thompson, who established the site’s first ceramic chronology. In the late 1950s, further excavations revealed that the area had been devastated by a sudden disaster, likely an earthquake, which ended its occupation.
The core of Xunantunich spans one square mile and includes a series of plazas surrounded by over 26 temples and palaces. The site features significant monuments, including El Castillo, which stands as the second tallest structure in Belize. Its construction reveals a complex history, with evidence indicating it was built in two stages around 800 AD.
Despite its eventual abandonment, the site remains a symbol of the rich cultural history of the Maya civilization. The ghostly appearance of the Stone Woman adds an additional layer of intrigue to its already complex past.
