Caves Of Belize

Caves Of Belize
By: Cave Spelunking

Belize is a tiny country in Central America. It was once called British Honduras, and way back in the dim and distant past, it was part of the Mayan Empire. Belize has a long and storied history, and even today, political unrest is the norm.

But beneath Belize is one of the most beautiful cave systems in the entire world. Once inside the caves, everywhere you look — on the ceiling, along the walls, beneath your feet, and hanging off ledges — you'll see cave formations that will put every "crystal" or "cathedral" cave you've ever been into to shame.

There is also evidence of the humans who lived eons ago evident in the caves beneath Belize. You'll see the charred wood and ashes from fires that were build eons ago and scattered around the ashes, you'll see broken pieces of pottery and other artifacts that make it look as though the fire had been set yesterday and the fire builders might return at any moment.

It's clear to archaeologists who have studied the caves that the caves were very important in the ancient Mayan culture. Clay pots have been found sitting beneath stalactites that were apparently placed there to collect water. Belize has a long dry season when water is scarce.)

In drier caves, even larger pots containing grain have been found. Archaeologists believe that the Mayans stored grain in the caves to preserve it during the rainy season.

Mayan legends tell us that the caves were also sacred. They represented a portal through which the spirits of the dead could come and go between the real world and the spiritual world. Because they were so sacred, according to the archaeologists, the caves were the site for many rituals that included human sacrifice.

Rock On & Keep Spelunking...
Cave Spelunking.