Day 3: Actun Tunichil Muknal

We got a taste of Mayan history.  We all got up and met for breakfast at 6:30 this morning in order to meet our tour guide at 7:30.  We then headed out to the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave).  It was about an hour from the hotel, the last half of that being down a very, bumpy gravel road.

Once we get the parking lot, Renan, our tour guide gets us set up with helmets and head lamps.  We used these once we geo to the cave entrance.

 






Swimming Into Cave

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a cave used by the Mayan's to get close to the spirits.  Many sacrifices were made in this cave.  At least 15 human remains have been identified, both adult and child - each sacrificed.  The cave was discoverd in 1989.



Tight Squeeze

The trip to the  opening of the cave was interesting.  We hiked through 3 different areas of water and trails for 1.5 miles before getting to the rest area to put our helmets and head lamps on.  Once we got to the end of the trail, we had to swim into the entrance of the cave.  We had to swim and wade through water, climb rocks, and squeeze through crevices before we ever got to the point of seeing any artifacts.  However, the walk and swim in was beautiful! The rocks, crystals, pure, natural limestone, and magnesium were a sight to be seen.  The water was freezing!

Once we climbed to the platform, we had to take our shoes off and walk the rest of the way in socks.  We were not allowed to walk with bare feet as the oil from the skin can affect the rocks.  This is where we were able to see many artifacts including ceramic pottery, ceremonial plates, and the human remains. 

Renan was very knowledgeable.  He has been doing this tour for 16 years and has done over 4,000 tours.  He was very mindful to explain that what we were seeing and observing was the belief of the Mayan people and although it was not his belief, he stresses respect for the what the cave represented.



Adult male - Teeth #4, 5, 6, 7, 9,& 10 were visible

Crystal  Maiden

We ended the tour inside viewing the full skeletal remains before hiking and swimming back out.  Apparently it is debatable whether the remains are male or female; however, multiple websites indicate that it is a young female woman who has been named the Crystal Maiden. 

 

Dr. Parker and Me

This excursion was a great way to get another glimpse of the local culture and beliefs of the Belizian people.  This culture and the beliefs do have an influence on education.  I am anxious to see to what degree this affects tertiary education.

**Cameras are no longer permitted inside the cave.  The pictures posted of the cave and artifacts themselves came from google.com that were posted prior to last year when cameras became prohibited.  However, the pictures are truly what was seen on our excursion today**