The World's Largest Underwater Cave in Mexico is Filled With Ancient Mayan Treasures, Baffles Experts

The World's Largest Underwater Cave System in Mexico is Filled with Ancient Mayan Treasures, Leaves Experts Puzzled

While the cave itself was a notable geological formation, it also contained significant pre-Hispanic archaeological sites from the ancient Maya and unnamed plant and animal species. "This massive cave marks the world's most important submerged archaeological site, boasting over a hundred archaeological contexts," said Guillermo de Anda, the project director.

The larger system found would include the smaller one, and the entire network would be named Sac Actun, as per cave naming conventions. "Along this system, we found documented proof of the first inhabitants of America, as well as extinct animals and, of course, Maya culture," de Anda said.

A search for a cave such as this one would have required "painstaking exploration," as according to Thomas Iliffe, a marine biologist at the University of Texas.

"This helps us understand much more clearly how the rituals, the pilgrimage sites, and finally the large pre-Hispanic communities that we know of developed," he added. This discovery will help to appreciate the culture of the region even more.

In Belize, a notable cave known as the Midnight Terror Cave held approximately 10,000 child remains, all under the age of 14, who were believed to be sacrificial offerings to Chaac, the ancient Maya god of rain, lightning, and water. There's still much to be discovered about the underground caves in the region. Researchers have recently uncovered evidence of a blocked passageway beneath the central temple at Chichén Itzá. This could potentially lead to a sinkhole under the temple, shedding new light on the ancient Maya civilization.