The Mayans relied on an underground network of sinkholes and underground caves for their water, living in a riverless landscape. These entrances to Xibalba, cenotes, are formed by rainwater eating away at limestone bedrock. There is evidence, however, that these cenotes were used for more than just water sources. Archaeologists diving under the surface and exploring the caverns have discovered a number of remains associated with activity—and perhaps more importantly, human remains. Mounds of debris are located on the floors of these caverns, containing chunks of pottery, carved building blocks, and further exploration shows the skull of at least one adult human and child. The sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza contained a minimum of 120 individuals, making the possibility of ritual or execution much more likely than accident.
Work is still being done on the skeletons found at Chichen Itza, and not all of the cenotes have been explored by divers.
Source: Romey, K.M. 2011. Diving the Maya Underworld. Archaeology Magazine: Maya Edition.
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