Hidden tunnel could lead to Mayan 'entrance to the underworld'

By Mark Tutton, CNN

Updated 1755 GMT (0155 HKT) February 2, 2018

Archaeologists are hoping to discover an underwater cavern hidden beneath the imposing "El Castillo" temple, at Chichen Itza, Mexico.
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Archaeologists are hoping to discover an underwater cavern hidden beneath the imposing "El Castillo" temple, at Chichen Itza, Mexico.
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Chichen itza, in Yucatan state, is one of the most impressive achievements of the ancient Mayan people. Pictured, thousands of tourists surround "El Castillo" during a spring equinox celebration.
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Chichen itza, in Yucatan state, is one of the most impressive achievements of the ancient Mayan people. Pictured, thousands of tourists surround "El Castillo" during a spring equinox celebration.
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Water-filled caverns -- called cenotes -- sustained the Mayan civilization, and were central to its spiritual beliefs. Pictured, Holtun cenote in Chichen Itza.
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Water-filled caverns -- called cenotes -- sustained the Mayan civilization, and were central to its spiritual beliefs. Pictured, Holtun cenote in Chichen Itza.
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The archaeologists are part of the Great Mayan Aquifer Project, which aims to learn more about the cenotes of the Yucatan and their significance to the Maya. The project is supported by the National Geographic Society.
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The archaeologists are part of the Great Mayan Aquifer Project, which aims to learn more about the cenotes of the Yucatan and their significance to the Maya. The project is supported by the National Geographic Society.
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Last month, divers from the Great Mayan Aquifer Project discovered the world's largest flooded cave, when they connected the cave system known as Sac Actun with the Dos Ojos system.
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Last month, divers from the Great Mayan Aquifer Project discovered the world's largest flooded cave, when they connected the cave system known as Sac Actun with the Dos Ojos system.
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The team is led by underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda. He is pictured measuring a bear skull that dates from the ice age, found in a cenote.<br />
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The team is led by underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda. He is pictured measuring a bear skull that dates from the ice age, found in a cenote.
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Pictured, a Mayan altar, now underwater, discovered by the team in a cenote. These altars were used to make offerings to the Mayan rain god, Chaac.
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Pictured, a Mayan altar, now underwater, discovered by the team in a cenote. These altars were used to make offerings to the Mayan rain god, Chaac.
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A "Chac Mool," at the National Museum of Anthropology and History, in Mexico city. These sculptures are associated with the Mayan and Aztec rain gods.
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A "Chac Mool," at the National Museum of Anthropology and History, in Mexico city. These sculptures are associated with the Mayan and Aztec rain gods.
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A 3D reproduction of offerings found underwater in the Holtun cenote. Supported by the National Geographic Society, The Digital Preservation Project is developing technologies for high-resolution in-situ scanning.
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A 3D reproduction of offerings found underwater in the Holtun cenote. Supported by the National Geographic Society, The Digital Preservation Project is developing technologies for high-resolution in-situ scanning.
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The ancient Maya practiced human sacrifice and threw victims into some cenotes.
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The ancient Maya practiced human sacrifice and threw victims into some cenotes.
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Handprints made by the ancient Maya on a cave wall in the Yucatan. De Anda says many of the prints belonged to children. He believes there may be a link between these children's prints and child sacrifices made at a nearby cenote.
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Handprints made by the ancient Maya on a cave wall in the Yucatan. De Anda says many of the prints belonged to children. He believes there may be a link between these children's prints and child sacrifices made at a nearby cenote.
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