Exploring Maya Ritual Caves : Dark Secrets From the Maya Underworld

__Exploring Maya Ritual Caves__ offers a rare survey and explication of most of the known ancient Maya ritual caves in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The caves were the Maya underworld, where rituals, including animal and human sacrifice, were carried out. The Maya cave cult and mythology, construction and modification of the caves, and cult art and artifacts are discussed. Chládek, an intrepid explorer, then describes important caves that he has recently visited and provides photos of their wonders. Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Epigraph 7 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 14 Chronology 16 1 The Maya and Their World 18 The Maya Underworld 21 2 Caves and the Maya 32 Cave Cult and Mythology 33 Cave Rituals 41 Human Burials and Sacrifices 43 Animal Sacrifices 48 Cave Modifications and Constructions 48 Speleothems 56 Cave Rock Art 60 Artifacts 76 Cities and Caves 80 The Great Western Trade Road and Caves 96 The Maya Collapse and Colonial Period 103 The Maya and Caves Today 106 3 Journeys into the Underworld 114 Mexico 116 Guatemala 129 Belize 139 Conclusion 202 Glossary 208 Bibliography 212 Notes 222 Index 226 About the Author 240

Exploring Maya Ritual Caves offers a rare survey and explication of most of the known ancient Maya ritual caves in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The caves were the Maya underworld, where rituals, including animal and human sacrifice, were carried out. The Maya cave cult and mythology, construction and modification of the caves, and cult art and artifacts are discussed. Chládek, an intrepid explorer, then describes important caves that he has recently visited and provides photos of their wonders.

Chronology Maya and their underworld Caves and the Maya Journeys into the underworld Conclusions Glossary.