Extreme archaeology: Divers plumb the mysteries of sacred Maya pools (Belize)

University of Illinois ^ | July 21, 2010 | Diana Yates

[decimon]

CHAMPAIGN, lll. — Steering clear of crocodiles and navigating around massive submerged trees, a team of divers began mapping some of the 25 freshwater pools of Cara Blanca, Belize, which were important to the ancient Maya. In three weeks this May, the divers found fossilized animal remains, bits of pottery and – in the largest pool explored – an enormous underwater cave.

[decimon]

Pictures seem to be copyrighted.

[decimon]

Maya pool es su pool ping.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Richard Halliburton ping.

[bunkerhill7]

Appears to be pool-uted

[TheThirdRuffian]

[a fool in paradise]

The use of these pools at the end of the Late Classic period (roughly A.D. 800-900) corresponds to an enduring drought that deforested parts of Central America and – some believe – ultimately drove the Maya from the area.

The need for fresh water could have drawn the Maya to the pools, Lucero said. No vessels other than water jars were found in the structures built near the pools.

“They could have been making offerings to the rain god and other supernatural forces to bring an end to the drought,” she said.

They could also have been using the water jars to collect water from the pools to water their crops in an era of drought.

[NormsRevenge]

Here’s to a crystal skull or UFO find.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

I looked at the slide show, all are beautiful places. I didn't see how deep the pools are. Anybody know? Looks like paradise to me.

[decimon]

Looks like paradise to me.

Tropical locales always do. Now, if there's a beach and a hotel with air conditioning and a pool...

[SunkenCiv]

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[csvset]

Nice video as well.

[bert]

Amen...... very old news.

Book of Marvels, Occident, page 114 with photo page 115

[a fool in paradise]

Here’s to a crystal skull or UFO find.

They are much easier to come by these days.

I met the guy who sculpted it, by the way.