The concept of a subterranean underworld is quite common in world religions. From the Hades of ancient Greece to the Yomi of Japanese Shinto beliefs even Christianity has its Hell the bowels of the earth are frequently depicted as the realm, be it refuge or prison, of departed souls. It's hardly surprising, then, to learn that the ancient Maya had similar conceptions but they took this idea to an even higher (or lower) level. Archaeologists have uncovered a series of catacomb-like passages that appear to have been used explicitly as a route for the souls of the dead to make the journey into Xibalba, the mythical Mayan underworld.
It is in the Yucatn that one of the largest such entrances has been found. Archaeologists have uncovered a surprisingly vast network of subterranean passages, temples, and caves used by the ancient peoples who once dwelt on the surface. These caverns are largely covered by water today, and some archaeologists believe they also were during the time of the Maya. The scientists who explored these caves needed scuba gear and modern diving equipment to complete the survey, and so one can only imagine the hardships endured by those who first built these chambers many hundreds of years ago.
The Mayan Historical Record
Stone tablets recovered from Mayan excavation sites outline a dual function for these underground caves. In addition to their ceremonial role, they were apparently also a barrier to isolate floodwater from reaching the cities above ground. Since many of these cavern complexes were constructed near or under large population centers, it's clear that this second duty was no less important than their religious significance. To the Maya, death was less a cessation of life and more of a transformative event. The caves and rivers that wind through these underground spaces were, to their ancient builders and explorers, a literal road by which the souls of the deceased would depart this realm and make passage to the land of the dead.
The Remains of the Dead
It's not uncommon for archaeologists to discover human remains in these cave passages, or to stumble across skeletons half-buried near the pools and flooded sections adjacent to the underground rivers. The frequency with which human bones are uncovered at these sites has lead researchers to believe that the tunnels were thought of literally as a portal by which the recently deceased could make their way to Xibalba.
In many places at least fourteen throughout southern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, similar underground complexes of caves and waterways have been discovered by researchers. They share a common pattern of construction and layout: most of them include huge and beautifully decorated columns of rock, and contain all manner of sculptures, pottery, ceramics, and other evidence of frequent ritual use. We can tell that many of the vessels left in these caves were indeed of a sacred nature by locating the kill holes, small openings on the underside meant to allow the spirits contained within to escape.
The road to the underworld was certainly not said to be an easy one. Dead spirits would have to pass a gallery of horrors laid out by the gods of the underworld: ghost houses, walls dripping ooze and human blood, and long corridors filled with spiders, snakes, and other dangerous creatures. The departed souls would have to rely on the benevolence of helpful spirits, such as a mythical canine companion with excellent night vision, in order to make the journey successfully even so, they would have to endure many trials and ordeals in order to gain sanctuary at last in Xibalba.
The Tunnel Interior
Climbing down into one of these cave sites is an eerie and unforgettable experience. To stand at the edge of a silent pool, its surface black and smooth as volcanic glass, and stare up at massive stone pillars covered in Maya pictographs is an experience not soon forgotten by any who've had it. Once you've been, it's easy to understand why they were chosen as places of reverence the thrill of fear at the abundance of human bones mixes with the deathly silence and coolness of the caves, and leaves one feeling a sense of awe and wonderment at their very existence.
Though the pyramids of Tikal and Calakmul may be more famous, these cave complexes are no less an architectural wonder than their above-ground counterparts. In fact, archaeologists have revealed that the two were often constructed hand in hand, the cities normally being built near underground pools or cenotes as a source of water, and naturally making use of the area's caves and caverns for important religious rites.
Many of these caves can be see by the public, although they do require some amount of physical activity to successfully navigate. You can take guided tours of many of the caves, like Belize's Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). They're a great day-long excursion if you happen to be vacationing in the area, although the act of descending into the physical reality of the ancient Mayan underworld is awe-inspiring enough to plan a trip just to have the experience!
It is in the Yucatn that one of the largest such entrances has been found. Archaeologists have uncovered a surprisingly vast network of subterranean passages, temples, and caves used by the ancient peoples who once dwelt on the surface. These caverns are largely covered by water today, and some archaeologists believe they also were during the time of the Maya. The scientists who explored these caves needed scuba gear and modern diving equipment to complete the survey, and so one can only imagine the hardships endured by those who first built these chambers many hundreds of years ago.
The Mayan Historical Record
Stone tablets recovered from Mayan excavation sites outline a dual function for these underground caves. In addition to their ceremonial role, they were apparently also a barrier to isolate floodwater from reaching the cities above ground. Since many of these cavern complexes were constructed near or under large population centers, it's clear that this second duty was no less important than their religious significance. To the Maya, death was less a cessation of life and more of a transformative event. The caves and rivers that wind through these underground spaces were, to their ancient builders and explorers, a literal road by which the souls of the deceased would depart this realm and make passage to the land of the dead.
The Remains of the Dead
It's not uncommon for archaeologists to discover human remains in these cave passages, or to stumble across skeletons half-buried near the pools and flooded sections adjacent to the underground rivers. The frequency with which human bones are uncovered at these sites has lead researchers to believe that the tunnels were thought of literally as a portal by which the recently deceased could make their way to Xibalba.
In many places at least fourteen throughout southern Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, similar underground complexes of caves and waterways have been discovered by researchers. They share a common pattern of construction and layout: most of them include huge and beautifully decorated columns of rock, and contain all manner of sculptures, pottery, ceramics, and other evidence of frequent ritual use. We can tell that many of the vessels left in these caves were indeed of a sacred nature by locating the kill holes, small openings on the underside meant to allow the spirits contained within to escape.
The road to the underworld was certainly not said to be an easy one. Dead spirits would have to pass a gallery of horrors laid out by the gods of the underworld: ghost houses, walls dripping ooze and human blood, and long corridors filled with spiders, snakes, and other dangerous creatures. The departed souls would have to rely on the benevolence of helpful spirits, such as a mythical canine companion with excellent night vision, in order to make the journey successfully even so, they would have to endure many trials and ordeals in order to gain sanctuary at last in Xibalba.
The Tunnel Interior
Climbing down into one of these cave sites is an eerie and unforgettable experience. To stand at the edge of a silent pool, its surface black and smooth as volcanic glass, and stare up at massive stone pillars covered in Maya pictographs is an experience not soon forgotten by any who've had it. Once you've been, it's easy to understand why they were chosen as places of reverence the thrill of fear at the abundance of human bones mixes with the deathly silence and coolness of the caves, and leaves one feeling a sense of awe and wonderment at their very existence.
Though the pyramids of Tikal and Calakmul may be more famous, these cave complexes are no less an architectural wonder than their above-ground counterparts. In fact, archaeologists have revealed that the two were often constructed hand in hand, the cities normally being built near underground pools or cenotes as a source of water, and naturally making use of the area's caves and caverns for important religious rites.
Many of these caves can be see by the public, although they do require some amount of physical activity to successfully navigate. You can take guided tours of many of the caves, like Belize's Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). They're a great day-long excursion if you happen to be vacationing in the area, although the act of descending into the physical reality of the ancient Mayan underworld is awe-inspiring enough to plan a trip just to have the experience!
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Read more about the ancient Mayan civilization here: Mayan 2012. Those who enjoy getting to know a specific Mayan site, can try Chichen Itza.
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