By Akshay Asija
The ancient Maya civilisation is well known for its scientific and educational prowess. Their sophisticated, hieroglyphic-based writing system inspires awe today, while their highly developed architectural style is still extensively studied.
This central American civilisation is known to have existed for more than 3000 years prior to its fall in the late 17th century. While it has been scrutinised in great detail by several archaeologists and historians, much remains unknown. As newer technologies and better detection techniques become available, researchers are using these to uncover more mysteries about the Mayans, with the latest discoveries being made below the water.
The Great Maya Aquifer Project (GAM)
Among the many organizations that are involved in the study of the Maya civilisation, Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM), or the Great Maya Aquifer Project, is one of the most prominent. This research effort has been involved in the examination of the underwater caves in the Yucatán Peninsula, which is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
In its most recent discovery, the GAM has found a 347 kilometre-long subterranean Mayan cave system. This new discovery is actually of a lost connection between two previously known cavern systems in the region, called the Sac Actun and the Dos Ojos systems. Sac Actun, which was believed to be 263 kilometres long, is now known to be much longer. The 93-kilometre-long Dos Ojos system has now been reclassified as part of Sac Actun. This discovery makes Sac Actun the worlds largest known underwater cave. However, the underwater archaeologists who made the discovery claim that Sac Actun could be even larger, as it may be linked to about three other cave systems.
Implications of this discovery
Sac Acton, which is one of the most significant archaeological sites on the globe, holds a lot of information about the flora and fauna of the Mayan era. It also contains plenty of ancient Mayan relics along with evidence of the first Europeans who led expeditions to the Americas. This site is also of great importance as the artefacts have been well preserved in the water.
In the short time researchers have already spent surveying the site, they have confirmed the discovery of more than 100 objects of archaeological value. The remains of plants and animalssome of them extinct as well as graves and ceramics will help to further our understanding of the Mayans.
The study of primitive civilisations, especially those that have disappeared, help us to improve not only our knowledge of the past but also to learn from the mistakes made that led to the fall of such civilisations. The discovery of Sac Acton is a big step forward in this project.
Featured Image Source: Flickr