Scientists have discovered a 216-mile-long, labyrinthine cave system that could help them uncover the secrets of the ancient Maya civilization. The Gran Acuifero Maya (GAM) is a project dedicated to the study and conservation of the underwater regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. After months of exploration, divers say the cave is 216 miles (347 km) long. Near the beach resort of Tulum, the GAM project discovered the 236-km-long Sac Actun cave system, which connects to the 83-km-long Dos Ojos system.
A scuba diver measures the length of Sac Actun cave in Mexico, which is part of Dos Ojos cave.
The Gran Acuifero Maya Project studied caves located off the east coast of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula.
An underwater diver discovered an animal skull in the Sac Actun underground cave during underwater exploration.
GAM director and underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda hailed the discovery as a “fantastic” find. He also said it would help understand the rich culture of the area, which was dominated by the Maya civilization before the Spanish conquest.
It is believed that the exploration of the caves by divers could help shed more light on the ancient Mayan civilization.
Divers explore in the Sac Actun cave in Mexico.
A map showing the location of Sac Actun, which is now believed to be the longest underwater cave in the world
One of the divers exploring the large cave hopes the discovery will shed light on the development of the area's rich culture, which was dominated by the Mayan civilization before the Spanish conquest.
Many divers had to work in darkness and difficult conditions as they explored cave networks off the coast of Mexico.
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(According to Dailymail)
