Diving with the Dead: A Look into the Mayan Underworld

On the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico, some of the most important work into the study of the Mayans is being done deep underground in submerged caves. These caves, known as Cenotes, were used by the Mayans as water sources and sacrificial wells. Thought to be openings to Xibalba, the Maya nderworld, the wells served as an altar to their gods. Objects, animals, and humans were sacrificed into these wells as offerings to appease the gods. Memo De Anda, a professor of Underwater Archaeology at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, leads an expedition to map and document these treasure troves of the past. From the geologic origins of cenotes to the importance of their artifacts "Diving with the Dead" outlines the importance of finding our past.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• maya documentary
• maya diving
• cave diving
• underwater archaeology
• diving with the dead
• maya underworld