Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
The Midnight Terror Cave
Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, also known as ATM Cave, or the Midnight Terror Cave, is buried deep within the jungles of Belize, Central America, and is one of the most interesting historical discoveries ever made.
This cave has gained popularity among travellers and explorers due to the unique discovery made inside, which has added significant value to the world of archaeology.
The name Actun Tunichil Muknal translates as “Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre.” The name refers to the numerous human skeletons and artifacts found inside the cave. It is known by the locals as “Xibalba”, the entrance to the Mayan Underworld. The Mayans believed that the cave was home to the Gods who controlled agriculture and Rain.
It was abandoned before the arrival of the Europeans and was rediscovered again in 1989 and left undisturbed for more than 1000 years. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of human ritual sacrifices dating around 250 A.D. to 909 A.D.
Discovery
The exploration of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave began in 1989 by a team of archaeologists led by Dr Jaime Awe. The team spent several months exploring the cave and documenting its contents.
The 8m-high entrance to ATM Cave is located deep in the jungle, and it requires a 45-minute drive from San Ignacio, a 45-minute hike through the beautiful Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve and a swim across a crystal clear spring-fed pool and underground rivers to reach it.
The exploration of the cave was conducted in several stages. In the first stage, the archaeologists surveyed the cave, documenting its size, shape, and contents. The second stage involved the excavation of the cave floor, which led to the discovery of several artifacts and human remains. The third stage involved the study of the artifacts and human remains found inside the cave.
Significance of Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave
The ATM Cave is significant for several reasons. Firstly, the cave provides insight into the ancient Maya civilization and their religious beliefs. The Maya people believed that caves were portals to the underworld, and therefore, they were sacred places where they could communicate with their gods. The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is one of the few caves that have been preserved and provides evidence of Maya religious practices.
Secondly, the ATM Cave is significant because of the discovery of the Crystal Maiden. The calcification of the skeleton provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study the bones and learn more about the individual’s health and life. The discovery of the other artifacts and human remains also provides insight into the ancient Maya civilization’s daily life, including their diet, clothing, and weapons.
Finally, The Midnight Terror Cave Cave is significant for tourism. The cave has become a popular tourist attraction in Belize, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The cave provides a unique and unforgettable experience for tourists, allowing them to explore the ancient Maya civilization and learn about their religious practices.
History
The cave has a long and fascinating history dating back to the ancient Maya civilization. The Maya civilization was known for its sophisticated art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical skills. The Maya civilization existed from 2000 BC until the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. The Maya people believed that caves were portals to the underworld, and therefore, they were sacred places where they could communicate with their gods.
The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave was used by the Maya people for various rituals and ceremonies. The cave was rediscovered in 1989 by a team of archaeologists, and since then, it has been explored extensively.
The cave is littered with skeletons of men, women, and children that were sacrificed more than 1,000 years ago by ancient Maya priests. Using radiocarbon techniques, most of the remains have been accurately dated between 250 AD and 950 AD. This was a period of civil unrest, constant warfare and failing crops, and to appease the Gods, the Mayans made the ultimate ritual sacrifice: human life.
From research into this and other archaeological Maya sites, experts have found that the Maya ventured deep into caves to connect with their deities in some way, although the specifics of those ceremonies are not yet fully understood.
While there are no first-hand accounts of what happened in Maya cave ceremonies, it is believed that the ATM Cave was the entrance to Hell (the Mayan Underworld). This deep opening in the earth filled with rivers of blood and scorpions was the realm of the Mayan Death Gods, the subterranean court of the powerful rulers known as the Lords of Xibalba.
The Court of Xibalba had 12 rules or deities, which were often referred to as demons and had names like “Stabbing Demon” and “Skull Staff.” They were thought to be able to inflict a range of maladies on people including sickness, pain, and fear.
The Maya ceremonies were staggeringly elaborate and theatrical, with deadly re-enactments of the Popol Vuh, the Maya creation myth. Scholars believe that they did this as a way to prompt the gods to force a “rebirth” of the world before the drought and political turmoil brought about the end of their civilisation, known as the Maya Collapse, in the 10th Century.
According to the Popol Vuh creation myth, the Hero Twins, two god-like beings, embarked on a journey to the underworld to appease the Lords of Xibalba and challenge them to a ball game. Despite their efforts, the twins were defeated and subsequently sacrificed.
However, another pair of Hero Twins emerged to avenge their father (who was one of the original Hero Twins), and after a prolonged struggle, they emerged victorious. Their father was reborn as the Maize God, who went on to create all human life.
In addition, the Hero Twins punished the Lords of Xibalba, who could only receive offerings that were damaged in some way from that point forward.
Almost everything found in the ATM Cave is broken, which suggests that the Maya were attempting to re-enact this myth as a way of battling the Lords of Xibalba, just like the Hero Twins had done.
The Maya must have believed that the evil Lords of Xibalba were triumphing in some way during droughts, which were intense between 700-900 AD. The area appears to have been depopulated around 850 AD, which suggests the Mayans were coming into the cave to perform the ritual at the height of this intense drought period.
Ancient Maya considered inner cave areas with water sources to be sacred spaces, suggesting bodies were placed there intentionally as offerings to Chaac.
Human Remains
In the period of 2008-2010, a collection of 9,566 human bones, bone fragments, and teeth were discovered on the floor of a cave. The majority of these remains were identified as belonging to individuals under the age of 14.
The bones were dated through radiocarbon dating, and the results indicate that the Maya deposited one or a few bodies at a time in the cave over a period of 1,500 years, starting at the dawn of Maya civilization about 3,000 years ago.
The deepest and darkest part of the cave, close to an underground stream, contained at least 114 bodies, many of which belonged to children aged 4 to 10 years old. At least 60 of the bodies belonged to children up to age 14, though the exact number of individuals in the cave could not be determined due to the fragmented nature of the bones.
Archaeological evidence suggests that most of the individuals in ATM Cave were sacrificial victims. Blunt-force trauma to the head was the cause of death for many, resulting in crushed skulls. Some of the skulls exhibited unusual shapes due to ritual deformations, which gave them an eerie resemblance to aliens. There was no evidence of natural causes of death or burial found in the cave. Furthermore, the remains of a teenager were found, indicating that he had been tied and bound before the sacrifice.
The cave also contained other artifacts, including animal and face carvings, obsidian blades, and ceremonial vessels.
Researchers also discovered dental calculus with string in two teeth and blue cotton fibres on six teeth. The blue colour was important in the Maya ritual and has been observed in other ceremonial sites.
Some researchers speculate that the fibres were coloured by an alcoholic drink consumed by sacrificial victims to alleviate their suffering, while others believe the fibres were present due to gags used to restrain the victims during their transportation.
The Crystal Maiden
The ATM Cave is famous for the discovery of the Crystal Maiden, a human skeleton that has been calcified over time due to the mineral-rich water that flows through the cave. Originally, the skeleton was believed to be the skeleton of a young woman who was sacrificed to the gods by the Maya people.
The Crystal Maiden was discovered in 1989 by a team of archaeologists led by Dr. Jaime Awe. The skeleton was found in one of the inner chambers of the cave, lying on its back, with its arms crossed over its chest. The skeleton is believed to be over 1,000 years old.
Although the skeleton of a 17-year-old boy is best known as the “The Crystal Maiden”, closer examination of the bones has revealed features that suggest they were male.
The skeleton is unique in its placement and its two crushed vertebrae, leading researchers to believe the individual met a violent end before being discarded and left on the ground for at least 1,100 years. Over time, the bones completely calcified, creating a sparkling and slightly plump appearance, which earned it the nickname “crystalline.”
The Crystal Maiden is not the only significant discovery made inside the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave. The cave is also home to numerous other artifacts and human remains. Some of the artifacts found inside the cave include pottery, jade jewellery, obsidian blades, and flint knives. The human remains found inside the cave include the remains of men, women, and children, some of whom show signs of being sacrificed.
The circumstances surrounding the sacrifices are unclear, but some suggest that they were made to appease the rain deity, Chac, or perhaps the deities of the underworld. Another theory posits that the victims were believed to be witches, potentially experiencing physical or mental afflictions, and abandoning their remains in the cave would result in their spirits being trapped there.
Challenges Facing The Midnight Terror Cave
Despite the importance of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, it faces several challenges. One of the main challenges is preserving the artifacts, the Crystal Maiden and other human remains found inside the cave. The cave is a fragile ecosystem, and any disturbance could lead to the destruction of the artifacts and human remains. Therefore, the Belize government has implemented strict regulations on the exploration and study of the cave.
Another challenge facing the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave is tourism. The cave’s popularity has led to an increase in the number of visitors, which puts a strain on the cave’s fragile ecosystem. Tourists are not allowed to touch or take any artifacts or human remains found inside the cave. However, some visitors do not adhere to these regulations, leading to damage to the artifacts and human remains.
They have restricted the number of visitors to the cave, and tourists must be accompanied by a licensed guide. The guides are trained to ensure that tourists do not touch or take any artifacts or human remains found inside the cave. The government has also implemented a monitoring system to track any damage to the cave’s ecosystem.
The Belize government has implemented measures to mitigate these challenges ensuring that the cave is preserved for future generations.
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