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Altun Ha was a major ceremonial center in the Classic Period (250-900 A.D.) and functioned as vital trading center linking the Caribbean shores with other Maya centers in the interior. Altun Ha is located 31 miles north of Belize City. Altun Ha was not discovered until 1963 and excavation did not begin until 1964. At the time it was the largest-scale and longest-term excavation ever carried out in Belize. The excavation continued till 1970. The most important finds were within the main temple. They found seven tombs but it was the tomb of an elderly priest, the oldest and the last discovered that was the most interesting. In this tomb the impressive jade head of Kinich Ahau was discovered.