Overview:

is an ancient sacred site of the ancient Maya civilization located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in western Belize. It is a cave that contains skeletal remains of humans and animals, as well as artifacts from the Classic Period of the Maya culture. The skeletal remains and artifacts evidence the practice of ritual sacrifices of humans and animals at the cave. The sacrificial chamber itself is an underground pool filled with water from ancient times. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belize
Prominent Features:

1. Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave: This is a Mayan burial site located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in Belize. It is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in Central America, as it contains ancient Mayan artifacts including ceramic and stone vessels, and human remains. It also features a unique sacrificial chamber containing the remains of seven human sacrifices and the largest collection of jade and artifact remains from the Late Classic Period of the Maya period (600-900 AD). 2. Sacrificial Chamber: This is a large chamber located inside the cave and contains the remains of seven human sacrifices. This chamber is believed to have been used by the ancient Maya as a ritual space and place of sacrifice. The chamber is filled with artifacts including pottery, stone tools, and jewelry items. 3. Unique Geology: It is home to some of the most spectacular geology in Belize with unique stalactites and stalagmites, natural springs, and a variety of rock formations. 4. Speleothems: These are formations of calcium carbonate deposits found in the cave that are created by water dripping through the rocks from the ceiling. These formations are truly unique and spectacularly beautiful. 5. Cultural Significance: This site is particularly important for the Mayan culture as many artifacts found in the cave suggests it was used in many important rituals and sacred ceremonies. It is also important for Belize as it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. This national monument of Belize portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is a cave located in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in western Belize, near the Guatemalan border. It is known for the human sacrifices that may have been carried out within the cave between 600 and 900 AD by the indigenous Maya people. The horrors and secrets of this cave remain a mystery, making it one of the most visited sites in the country. The cave’s full name, Actun Tunichil Muknal (meaning "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher"), was given by the Mopan Maya who live in the area. They consider the cave to be a sacred ceremonial site and still venerate the cave’s ancient gods today. The cave consists of a single underground chamber that extends 120 m (394 ft) into the hillside. Within the chamber are the skeletal remains of at least fourteen individuals and various offerings made by the Maya, including pottery and jewelry fashioned from jade and shell. The skeletal remains are believed to have been part of sacrificial ceremonies, with some of the bones showing evidence of having been fractured by blows from a heavy object or cut with a sharpened tool. The discovery of the sacrificial chambers at Actun Tunichil Muknal has shed light on the previously unknown rituals of the ancient Maya. The findings are invaluable for understanding the religious, cultural, and social practices of a people that have all but vanished from Central America. Today, the cave serves as a reminder of the ancient Maya's history and their enduring presence in the region. You must visit one of these historical places in Belize on your Belize tour

Interesting facts:

1. Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is one of the most famous caves in Central America. 2. ATM was used by the ancient Maya people of Belize as a sacrificial chamber. 3. The cave contains the remains of 14 individuals that have been radiocarbon dated to between 700 and 900 AD. 4. The sacrificial victims include men, women, and children, as well as pottery and other offerings. 5. Some of the remains still have the cinnabar-hued paint used by the ancient Maya to adorn the victims. 6. Archaeologists have found artifacts ranging from incense burners to jewelry, all of which suggests the site was used for rituals and ceremonies. 7. ATM is a flooded cave system, which means visitors to the site must board caving canoes and then swim through the passages to reach the sacrificial chamber. 8. The cave also contains evidence of ancient Maya cave art, including drawings of animals and human figures. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belize with your friends and family.