Honey Camp Lagoon

Honey Camp Lagoon is one of the many freshwater lagoons Belize has to offer. The lagoon is located in the district of Orange Walk and is approximately 9 miles away from the nearest town Orange Walk Town. The surrounding area of the lagoon is mostly undeveloped properties which are privately owned. The water in the lagoon is clear and has a maximum depth of thirty feet, with a bottom being lined with decomposed limestone (Masson, 2014, pg8). The lagoon was also once inhabited by the great Maya civilization in Post Classic period (A.D. 900 to 1500 ). Archaeologists over the years have had many discoveries throughout the lagoon which have revealed evidence of the Maya civilization. On the largest island found in the lagoon, a shrine was discovered that that demonstrates the recreation and survival of ancient Maya customs of ancestor worship and rain-god ceremonies (The Journal of Earthwatch Institute, 1997). Archaeologists refer to Honey Camp Lagoon as "Laguna de on". The lagoon is currently used as an escape to locals and tourist who seek tranquility and relief of stress.

Research studies

Studies began in 1926 with Thomas Gann who discovered effigy ceramics from "pavement" located on the large island surface (Masson, 1997). The lagoon was also visited by Clement Meighan and James Bennyhoff in the 1950s where they discovered lithic artifacts(Masson). In 1980 Thomas Kelly and John Masson also visited the site. Dr. Marilyn Masson also visited the site in 1996 and made discoveries of her own. (The Journal of Earthwatch Institute, 1997).

Tourism

Honey Camp Lagoon has not only been recognized internationally for its archaeological studies but also for its tourism. Travelling Sites like Tripadvisor once had bookings available for a hotel that operated in the Honey Camp Lagoon area. Honey Camp Ranch once open its doors to local and international tourists who were interested in a place to unplug, watch nature, enjoy the dark star filled skies, and relax next to Belize's(Honey Camp Ranch). The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) also featured Honey Camp Lagoon in an article titled, 5 Must-Dos In Orange Walk.

References

Masson, M. A.(2014). In the Realm of Nachan Kan: Postclassic Maya Archaeology at Laguna De On, Belize. Boulder: University Press of Colorado. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from Project MUSE database.
Masson, M. A. (1997). Cultural Transformation at the Maya Postclassic Community of Laguna de On, Belize. Latin American Antiquity, 8(4), 293. doi:10.2307/972105 Retrieved September 17, 2016
Belize's Island Maya. (1997, January). Earthwatch: The Journal of Earthwatch Institute, 16(1), 1-31. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
Honey Camp Ranch. (2013). Retrieved September 17, 2016, from https://www.travelbelize.org/honey-camp-ranch
Northern Belize - Honey Camp Lagoon of the Orange Walk District, Belize. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.northernbelize.com/see_hclagoon.html
Honey Camp Ranch About. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://honeycampranch.com/hcA.htm
5 Must-Dos in Orange Walk. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2016, from https://belizetourismboard.org/works/5-must-dos-in-orange-walk/

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