Overview:

: Actun Tunichil Muknal is an ancient sacred Mayan cave located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in Belize. The entrance to the cave is a short walk from the parking area and is reached by crossing a small stream. The entrance leads to a large 50-meter (164-foot) chamber, which is set in a forested limestone hill. Inside the cave, visitors will find a fully intact Mayan ritual site, complete with extraordinary artifacts, ceremonial artifacts, and other sculpted ceramic vessels. Actun Tunichil Muknal is an important archaeological site and a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors the unique opportunity to view a rare piece of Mayan culture and history. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

- Natural entrance through a large sinkhole - Criss-cross network of interconnected limestone passages - Variety of Maya artifacts, such as pottery, stoneware, and crystallized material - Skeletons of sacrificed humans and animals believed to have been left as offerings to the Maya gods - Large cave chambers, including the Cathedral, which is believed to be a sacrificial chamber - Formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique rock formations This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Actun Tunichil Muknal (Cave of the Stone Sepulchre), commonly known as ATM, is a cave located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in western Belize. It is a large limestone cave famous for its extraordinary Mayan artifacts, including the remains of several ancient Mayan people. The entrance to the cave was discovered in 1989 by a local Belizean guide named Alex "Al" Gill. During the late 1990s, the cave became known as a popular tourist attraction. In order to protect its unique artifacts and environment, the Belizean government made the area a protected archaeological reserve. The entrance to the cave was gated in 1998 and is now maintained by the Belize Institute of Archaeology. Since its discovery, the cave has been extensively studied and explored by archaeologists and anthropologists. Numerous artifacts have been found inside the cave, including jars, cloth, items used for rituals, pottery, and the remains of several human sacrifices. The most spectacular discovery was made in 2012 when the remains of a teenage girl, believed to be around 15-years-old, were discovered. She is believed to have been sacrificed to the Maya rain god Chaac during the Late Classic Period (600–900 AD). This discovery has been the impetus for a preserved portion of the cave; allowing visitors to explore it while respecting the remains and artifacts. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. The cave itself is estimated to be around 1,500 years old. 2. The cave is located in Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in Belize. 3. During the Pre-Columbian period, it was used for spiritual ceremonies and sacrifices by the ancient Mayan people. 4. Actun Tunichil Muknal provides a unique, archaeological experience for visitors, with preserved skeletal remains scattered throughout the cave. 5. The main attraction is the ancient crystal skeleton located in a back chamber of the cave, known as the “Crystal Maiden”. 6. In order to reach the entrance, visitors must follow a five hundred meter ascent through dense jungle. 7. It is a sacred, sacrosanct place that requires special respect and reverence. 8. The area around the cave is part of a watershed system and tourist guides may be required to make sure visitor don’t cause any damage to the environment. 9. Actun Tunichil Muknal has been featured in several TV documentaries, books and articles. 10. It was declared a national park in 1998. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.