Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE MAYA UNDERWORLD
Though most evidence of the Maya is aboveground, the culture was fascinated by the
subterranean, and
caves
held sacred status. They were considered entrances to the
underworld, called
Xibalba,
the “place of fright”, but despite their fearsome nature they also
provided privileged access to the dwelling of gods, ancestors and spirits. Extensive
cave
systems
form a vast network under much of inland Belize - thanks in large part to the
country's porous karst limestone - which have revealed unique findings, including wall
paintings, pottery shards and the remains of fires. Because the Maya gods had to be appeased
with sacrifices, you'll also see weapons, altars and skeletons, typically left just as archeologists
first discovered them.
Perhaps the best cave to visit for its cache of Maya artefacts is
Actun Tunichil Muknal
- or
ATM - (see p.125) in Cayo District, involving a short swim and, depending on the water level, a
hike through waist-deep water.
Che Chem Ha
also in Cayo District, is another highlight, with
some of the most intact artefacts in the country. In addition to their attraction as Maya sites,
caves also invite a slew of adventure activities, heavily promoted by tour organizers. Cave
tubing, rappelling and canoeing are some of the more popular activities and run the gamut
from relaxing to exhilarating.
universities, museums and other institutions from the US, Canada and, to a lesser
extent, Britain, always with permission from the institute. Permits are only issued to
those whose proposals conform to the institute's policies and will be of benefit to the
country, while the institute also now trains Belizeans to carry out archeological work,
and it performs small-scale salvage excavations. The institute is also in charge of all
non-Maya historical and colonial remains
, with immovable man-made structures over
one hundred years old and movable man-made items over 150 years old considered
ancient monuments and artefacts respectively, under Belizean law. The responsibility of
maintaining archeological sites falls to the institute, as does the safekeeping of the vast
national collections. To try to stimulate the Belizean public's interest, an educational
programme is also carried out, including lectures, slide shows and travelling
exhibitions. The
Belize Archaeology Symposium
, held annually in the summer (usually
in June or July) offers the chance for all archeological teams to present their latest
findings - a fascinating and well-organized event which anyone can attend; check
W
nichbelize.com for more contact details and information.
With the wealth of Maya remains, it's extremely unfortunate that
looting
and the
black-market sale of antiquities still happens. In Belize, all ancient monuments and
antiquities are owned by the state, whether on private or government land or under
water - residents are allowed to keep registered collections under licence, but the sale,
purchase, import or export of antiquities is illegal. The law is aimed at keeping remains
intact so that Belizeans and visitors alike can see the evidence of this splendid heritage.
The safekeeping of Maya sites, though, goes beyond the dangers of looting, as
evidenced by the devastating damage, by a construction company bulldozer in 2013, of
the Nohmul Maya site (see p.76), near Orange Walk. This destruction made headlines
across Belize, igniting renewed efforts to protect the country's priceless Maya treasures.
Ancient Maya
maritime trade routes
have been a focus of recent research, with sites
on the coast and cayes receiving more attention. In 2011, for example, the Preclassic
Marco Gonzalez site (see p.97), on Ambergris Caye, was declared the cayes' first
National Park Maya Site, and vigorous excavation is under way.
