The Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

This cave is another amazing link to the lost world of the ancient Maya. The Actun Tunichil Muknal cave, ATM cave for short, is located in the Cayo district, about 45 minutes away from San Ignacio Town.   The Ancient Maya believed this limestone cavern to be the dwelling of the gods of rain and agricultural fertility, and the cave was the site of bloodletting ceremonies and human sacrifices.  This is indicated by the 14 calcified human skeletal discoveries made during early explorations of the site.  One such discovery, that stands out is that of “The Crystal Maiden”.  The remains of a woman of about 20 years of age, who was most likely beaten and left to die. 

Accessing the cave involves swimming through the waters of the Muknal stream, passing through the hourglass shaped entrance to the underworld, trekking over boulders and jagged rocks and venturing through various passageways leading to the depths of the cave where, in many forms there are links to the lost world.  In the “Stelae Chamber” two slate stelae can be viewed, these are slabs of carved standing stone.  The site of the stelae within the Stelae Chamber in the ATM cave is where high priests would perform bloodletting rituals. They would slash their flesh with blades and offer blood to appease the gods.   The remains of those sacrificed to please the gods have also been discovered in an area of the cave known as the “Main Chamber”. 

 Another archaeological find that is a luring attraction in the cave, are the many pots that can be found in various parts of the cave.