Archaeologists are hoping to discover an underwater cavern hidden beneath the imposing "El Castillo" temple, at Chichen Itza, Mexico.
Archaeologists are hoping to discover an underwater cavern hidden beneath the imposing "El Castillo" temple, at Chichen Itza, Mexico.
Pedro PARDO/AFP/Getty Images
Chichen itza, in Yucatan state, is one of the most impressive achievements of the ancient Mayan people. Pictured, thousands of tourists surround "El Castillo" during a spring equinox celebration.
Chichen itza, in Yucatan state, is one of the most impressive achievements of the ancient Mayan people. Pictured, thousands of tourists surround "El Castillo" during a spring equinox celebration.
ALEJANDRO MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Water-filled caverns -- called cenotes -- sustained the Mayan civilization, and were central to its spiritual beliefs. Pictured, Holtun cenote in Chichen Itza.
Water-filled caverns -- called cenotes -- sustained the Mayan civilization, and were central to its spiritual beliefs. Pictured, Holtun cenote in Chichen Itza.
Courtesy Karla Ortega/GAM-INAH
The archaeologists are part of the Great Mayan Aquifer Project, which aims to learn more about the cenotes of the Yucatan and their significance to the Maya. The project is supported by the National Geographic Society.
The archaeologists are part of the Great Mayan Aquifer Project, which aims to learn more about the cenotes of the Yucatan and their significance to the Maya. The project is supported by the National Geographic Society.
Courtesy Karla Ortega/GAM-INAH
Last month, divers from the Great Mayan Aquifer Project discovered the world's largest flooded cave, when they connected the cave system known as Sac Actun with the Dos Ojos system.
Last month, divers from the Great Mayan Aquifer Project discovered the world's largest flooded cave, when they connected the cave system known as Sac Actun with the Dos Ojos system.
Courtesy Herbert Meyrl
The team is led by underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda. He is pictured measuring a bear skull that dates from the ice age, found in a cenote.<br />
The team is led by underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda. He is pictured measuring a bear skull that dates from the ice age, found in a cenote.
Courtesy Guillermo Pruneda/Culto al Cenoto
Pictured, a Mayan altar, now underwater, discovered by the team in a cenote. These altars were used to make offerings to the Mayan rain god, Chaac.
Pictured, a Mayan altar, now underwater, discovered by the team in a cenote. These altars were used to make offerings to the Mayan rain god, Chaac.
Courtesy Karla Ortega/GAM-INAH
A "Chac Mool," at the National Museum of Anthropology and History, in Mexico city. These sculptures are associated with the Mayan and Aztec rain gods.
A "Chac Mool," at the National Museum of Anthropology and History, in Mexico city. These sculptures are associated with the Mayan and Aztec rain gods.
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images
A 3D reproduction of offerings found underwater in the Holtun cenote. Supported by the National Geographic Society, The Digital Preservation Project is developing technologies for high-resolution in-situ scanning.
A 3D reproduction of offerings found underwater in the Holtun cenote. Supported by the National Geographic Society, The Digital Preservation Project is developing technologies for high-resolution in-situ scanning.
Courtesy Corey Jaskolski/NGS-GAM-INAH
The ancient Maya practiced human sacrifice and threw victims into some cenotes.
The ancient Maya practiced human sacrifice and threw victims into some cenotes.
Pedro PARDO/AFP/Getty Images
Handprints made by the ancient Maya on a cave wall in the Yucatan. De Anda says many of the prints belonged to children. He believes there may be a link between these children's prints and child sacrifices made at a nearby cenote.
Handprints made by the ancient Maya on a cave wall in the Yucatan. De Anda says many of the prints belonged to children. He believes there may be a link between these children's prints and child sacrifices made at a nearby cenote.
Courtesy Karla Ortega/GAM-INAH
The team have made many discoveries about the history of the Yucatan aquifer, including the jaw of a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.britannica.com%2Fanimal%2Fgomphothere" target="_blank" target="_blank">Gomphothere</a> -- a family of elephant-like mammals that became extinct more than 10,000 years ago.
The team have made many discoveries about the history of the Yucatan aquifer, including the jaw of a Gomphothere -- a family of elephant-like mammals that became extinct more than 10,000 years ago.
Courtesy Kadu Pinheiro/GAM-INAH