A Mayan “ritual cave” that was untouched for 1,000 years was discovered by Mexican archaeologists.
The cave system, which was possibly sealed for millennia, is located under the ruins of the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, which was believed to have been founded at around 750 AD.
The items are said to date to around 1000 AD. They contain some bone fragments and burnt materials, the National Institute of Anthropology and History said.
The items, he added, were “completely untouched,” adding that the pots bore the likeness of the rain god, Tlaloc, which is sometimes called the “jaguar god,” according to The Independent.
De Anda said the Mayans would have had to crawl on the stomachs through narrow passageways to get to other chambers in the cave.
The cave system was found about 50 years ago by local people, but they didn’t fully explore it.
In the AFP report, de Anda was warned by indigenous Mayan people that venomous coral snakes guard the cave system.
De Anda said they discovered one that blocked their access to the cave for about four days.
The archaeologist said that they won’t remove the artifacts and will study them on site, AFP reported.
The findings may tell researchers when exactly the Mayan civilization collapsed.
The archaeologist said he hopes that the cave system will lead to Kukulcan, the pyramid.
“Let’s hope this leads us there. That is part of the reason why we are entering these sites, to find a connection to the cenote under the Castillo,” he was quoted by The Independent as saying.