Actun Tunichil Muknal is known locally as “Xibalba” or ATM cave. This Maya archeological site includes skeleton, ceramics and stoneware that were used by the Mayas a long time ago. There are also several areas where you can see skeletal remains in the main chamber. The most famous of these is “The Crystal Maiden”, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl – possibly a sacrifice victim. The skeleton has this name because the bones have been calcified to a sparkling, crystalized appearance. It’s quite beautiful to see it up close.
The ceramics found inside the cave are marked with “Kill holes”, these indicate that they were used for ceremonial purposes. Many of the Mayan artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One of the artifacts named the “Monkey pot” is one of just four found in Central America. There are also some modifications of cave formations, to create altars for offerings, to create silhouettes of faces and animals, or to project a shadow image into the cave. The cave has many cave formations in the upper passages. One can also find animals such as bats, spiders and fishes and others inside the cave.
