Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

This photographer has done some interesting 'Light Paintings' with her pictures from Actun Tunichil Muknal.  She had an exhibit based upon ATM.  

"This series of photos and paintings is inspired by the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave system in Belize, Central America.  ATM is known for its miles of chambers believed by the Mayan to be the entry to the sacred underworld of Xibalba.  In ancient times only dancing torch flame brought this pitch black world to life where fifty foot stalactites and stalagmites inspired reverence and creativity.  Clay offering bowls, painted urns and full sacrificial skeletons are housed in crystalline limestone chambers to this day."

Actun Tunichil Muknal got on The Creepiest Places list this time.  It's the last entry in the article.  

"They’ve found several skeletons in the cave, and most of them are, uh, small.  That is, most of the sacrificed were children.  They were probably sacrifices to Chaac, the Mayan god of rain, during a particularly severe drought.  But don’t worry — these kids didn’t have their hearts cut out while still alive or anything.  No, evidence shows that they were all killed by having their skulls crushed, which is way more genial and to the point.  They were dealing with children, after all.  Over hundreds of years, the bones became calcified and fused with the cave floor, which is why modern excavators have just left them there without a proper burial (though seriously guys, maybe like throw a tarp over them or something?).  The most famous skeleton in the cave is that of a teenage girl, nicknamed the Crystal Maiden because her bones have partially crystallized and now sparkle in the light."

Great write up on Actun Tunichil Muknal from the Lazy Travel Writer.  The author describes the adventure, and talks about the life within the cave too.

"There is a surprising amount of life within the cave with some tiny plants battling their way into existence from seeds in fruit bat poo to live a short but sweet life on rocks in the darkness.  Sizeable crabs can also sometimes be seen – I happened upon one by chance sitting on the wall and was surprised at its size.  Up in the dry chamber unusual looking cave dwelling insects with antennae two or three times the length of their body dart around in the darkness.  The stalagmite and stalagmite formations are simply stunning, with the cathedral area having almost a natural chandelier."

Went yesterday to see the damage to the skull at ATM.  It's the skull of the 9 to 13 year old child next to the Crystal Maiden.  There is a 3 by 2 inch break in it.  It looks like a tiny camera fell on it.  There is talk about fixing the hole.  Also examined the skull that had the tooth broken out of it 7 years ago.  We support the banning of cameras from ATM.

Great title: "Channeling Our Inner Cavewoman: Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, Belize"

"Lonely Planet touted ATM as 'undoubtedly one of the most incredible and adventurous tours you can take in Belize.'  I thought our kamikaze boat ride to the Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef to see the red-footed boobies was, but…Kim and I have a relationship that thrives on balance.  She was a willing and enthusiastic participant in a back-breaking wave-smacking two hour trip to see birds with red feet.  Surely I could suck up some old and dusty latent fears and poke around this cave at the edge of the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve...

National Geographic Society deems it one of the Top 10 Caves in the World for formidable reasons."