Caves & Their Meaning to the Ancient Mayan People
The limestone terrain of Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan peninsula contains thousands of cave systems. Within most of these caverns, explorers and archaeologists have discovered many prehistoric remains, including ceramic artifacts, stone tools, architectural modifications, and cave art. The existence of these materials demonstrates the extensive use of these underground sites by the ancient Maya civilizations.
Evidence of Maya use is particularly noticeable by the quantity, quality and types of cultural material that has been deposited in the caves during a period spanning over thousands of years. In Belize, archaeological investigations have indicated that the ancient Mayan people utilized the various cave systems from as early as 1000 BC. By the Classic period (AD 300 to 800), the data suggests, that the activity in cave sites by the Mayan people held some significance as to their sacred ceremonies. It has been revealed, that just about every cave that has been investigated, contains some sort of artifacts that date back to this time period. Archaeologists believe, that the most intensive period of cave use by the Mayan's, was during the Terminal Classic period (AD 800-1000). This was just before and during the decline of the Maya civilization. This was equally true for Belize, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
The Mayan's felt that the caves served as the abode to powerful gods, and were both places of death, and of creation. The Maya also believed that these deities influenced all aspects of their life from every day activities to life and death. They controlled the rain, agricultural fertility, and earths spirits. The Mayan believe that to ensure that rain would come, they needed to appeal to their gods, who would bring life giving rains. It was expected that all people would provide their gods with prescribed ritual offerings. These offerings have been preserved in the cave systems of Belize, where archaeologists have uncovered large qualities of corn, chili pepper, cacao seeds, and pine needles. Archaeologists have also discovered in other caves, ceramic censers with preserved copal incense that they must have burnt during important rituals. Most of these subterranean sites also contain implements that were used for hunting, tilling, of the soil and for processing of corn.
It is important to note, that during the time that the ancient Maya civilization began to declined, these cave sites in Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan peninsula were abandoned. Current theories suggest that environmental stress may have been a major cause for the decline of Maya civilizations in this area. Some archeologists believe that extensive periods of drought may have severely affected the Maya people's ability to provide enough food for their families. A population then that far exceeds the currently population of today. As the situation declined, many sacred rituals no doubt increased. Yet despite there increase, the Mayan's social and economic systems began to fail and the surviving Maya gradually began to abandoned their cities, their temples, their caves, their land. All that remains today, are a few tangible clues of there ancient past.
For visitors today, exploring a cave is like walking through time and experiencing a past, another world, that other experienced thousands of years before you. Come experience what a cave system is all about. Book your tour today, and experience an underground world enveloped in ancient history, rock formations, and sub-terrainean life.
Evidence of Maya use is particularly noticeable by the quantity, quality and types of cultural material that has been deposited in the caves during a period spanning over thousands of years. In Belize, archaeological investigations have indicated that the ancient Mayan people utilized the various cave systems from as early as 1000 BC. By the Classic period (AD 300 to 800), the data suggests, that the activity in cave sites by the Mayan people held some significance as to their sacred ceremonies. It has been revealed, that just about every cave that has been investigated, contains some sort of artifacts that date back to this time period. Archaeologists believe, that the most intensive period of cave use by the Mayan's, was during the Terminal Classic period (AD 800-1000). This was just before and during the decline of the Maya civilization. This was equally true for Belize, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
The Mayan's felt that the caves served as the abode to powerful gods, and were both places of death, and of creation. The Maya also believed that these deities influenced all aspects of their life from every day activities to life and death. They controlled the rain, agricultural fertility, and earths spirits. The Mayan believe that to ensure that rain would come, they needed to appeal to their gods, who would bring life giving rains. It was expected that all people would provide their gods with prescribed ritual offerings. These offerings have been preserved in the cave systems of Belize, where archaeologists have uncovered large qualities of corn, chili pepper, cacao seeds, and pine needles. Archaeologists have also discovered in other caves, ceramic censers with preserved copal incense that they must have burnt during important rituals. Most of these subterranean sites also contain implements that were used for hunting, tilling, of the soil and for processing of corn.
It is important to note, that during the time that the ancient Maya civilization began to declined, these cave sites in Belize, Guatemala and the Yucatan peninsula were abandoned. Current theories suggest that environmental stress may have been a major cause for the decline of Maya civilizations in this area. Some archeologists believe that extensive periods of drought may have severely affected the Maya people's ability to provide enough food for their families. A population then that far exceeds the currently population of today. As the situation declined, many sacred rituals no doubt increased. Yet despite there increase, the Mayan's social and economic systems began to fail and the surviving Maya gradually began to abandoned their cities, their temples, their caves, their land. All that remains today, are a few tangible clues of there ancient past.
For visitors today, exploring a cave is like walking through time and experiencing a past, another world, that other experienced thousands of years before you. Come experience what a cave system is all about. Book your tour today, and experience an underground world enveloped in ancient history, rock formations, and sub-terrainean life.