Calcified Maya skull forms natural crystal skull in cave chamber. A Maya skull was found placed under a dripping water formation that calcified the entire skull into a crystal skull Bones in the chamber were calcified by dripping water, making them sparkly and impossible to definitively sex the individual The person witnessed the collapse of Maya civilization and may have been willingly sacrificed to save it around 1200 years ago
A Maya skull found beneath dripping water calcified into a natural crystal skull over time. The individual may have been willingly sacrificed around 1200 years ago during civilization's collapse, possibly seeing cities like Caracol and Xunantunich. A massive chamber's central column may have represented the Maya world tree.
Key Facts
- A Maya skull was found placed under a dripping water formation that calcified the entire skull into a crystal skull
- Bones in the chamber were calcified by dripping water, making them sparkly and impossible to definitively sex the individual
- The person witnessed the collapse of Maya civilization and may have been willingly sacrificed to save it around 1200 years ago
- This individual likely saw Caracol, Xunantunich, and possibly Lamanai in their lifetime
- The cave contains a massive chamber with a central column that may have represented the Maya world tree connecting the underworld to the surface
Related site: Actun Tunichil Muknal — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Exploring Forgotten Appalachia & Ancient Caves of Central America (Supercut) by Luke Caverns