Grutas

Historia

Below ground extends a tangled labyrinth of tunnels, the work of an ancient civilization anxious to share their space with the gods of the underworld. The underground caves were sacred places for the Maya and are extremely impressive. Their abundant natural rock formations give visitors the sensation of a new world, of adventure, of stony beauty and mystery. Some caves are easily accessible with great vaults while others can be reached only through an emotionally-charged crawl along narrow conduits and around covert corners.

Interesting legends explain the origin of the caverns or describe the fantastic creatures that live in them.

CAVES OF LOLTÚN

In the Mayan language it means “Flower of Stone”. Evidence of human remains have been found dating back from 400 to 7,000 years ago. The journey starts from the entrance of Nahkab or beehive, where the famous bas-relief known as the “warrior of Loltun” can be found. The warrior appears to be emerging from the caves and is believed to be the god of the underworld.

At the entrance, the flat stones used for grinding vegetable grains testify to the activity which took place under the shelter of its walls. Visitors can admire the many formations, some baptized with peculiar names like “Cathedral”, “The Canyon Gallery”, “the Ear of Corn”, “the Room of the Stalactites”, etc. A chamber given the name of the “Room of the Musical Columns” is formed by great stalactites which, when struck with the palm of the hand produce different tones. The wise ancients knew that their vibrations would bring them closer to other dimensions of knowledge. Another high interest attraction are the cave paintings: on one mural “hands in negative” can be seen, in another more elaborately painted faces, animals and layered mosaics. In the various rooms, galleries and chambers – almost 60 m deep and more than 700 m long -diverse archeological pieces have been found: ceramics, stone artifacts, marine conch shells, petroglyphs, all corresponding to different stages in the development of the Mayan culture. The remains of extinct fauna such as mammoth, bison and feline bones have also been found.

CAVES OF CALCEHTOK.

Also known as X-Pukil, it has a complicated system of tunnels and vaults of up to 30 m high where stalagmites and stalactites can be appreciated along with other calcareous rock formations. Scattered throughout the cavern is an abundance of prehispanic material and there are still some intact vases and unexplored rooms. The underground caves extend for 5 km. Among the findings inside have been Mayan ceramics, human and deer bones, broken plates, scratched pots, stone bowls or mortars, arrow heads and cistern-like structures built by the Maya for collecting and holding water. While trying to build a well close to these caves, a carved stone was found in the form of a deer head and as a tribute the place was named Calcehtok, which means “Throat of the Flint Deer”.

CAVES OF BALAMKANCHE.

This cavern functioned as a ceremonial center for ancient Mayan settlers. At the entrance there is the throne of Balam, a kind of altar, and to which the cave owes its name. At the center of the vault an imposing stalactite reaches the floor, resembling a great Ceiba tree, and called the “Sacred Ceiba which grows inside the Earth”. Around the base there are ceremonial pieces which the Mayan priests left there more than 1,000 years ago. In the next room is an almost-dry lake scattered with Mayan offerings, conches and bits of jade. In fact, all the way through the caves incense burners, metals, miniature plates, offerings of jewelry and ceramics, figurines of the god Chaac, jade jaguars and handprints on the walls have been found.