The most ancient civilizations found an explanation for natural phenomena in their divine origin. To establish a relationship and earn favor from above, people performed rituals, made offerings to the gods, and made sacrifices.
The Latin word "sanctum" translates as "holy". Sanctum is a sacred place where ritual actions were performed. Natural forms of relief served as original temples for the ancients: mountains, caves, grottoes, gorges or cenotes. In addition to natural sanctuaries, artificial structures were built to thank the gods for their gifts. The Mayan civilization was distinguished by a developed system of sanctums. It is amazing that some of the sanctuaries have survived unchanged, and to this day keeping unsolved secrets.
Balancanche Cave
The first mention of Balancanche dates back to the third millennium BC. For the Indian Maya, it became a place for religious rituals. Since the cave contained a source of pure water, the Mayan rain god Chak was worshiped here. Its entrance was associated with a portal to the other world. The extensive system of Balancanche contains many tunnels and grottoes, the central point is a grotto called the Throne of the Jaguar. This temple was used for offerings and ritual dances. Next to the "Throne" is a stone object in the shape of a skull, known among the locals as the "Head". In a dead end, located in the south, there is a cult room - the “Room of the World Tree”. It is a grotto with a limestone column in the center, symbolizing the structure of the universe. In the depths there is the "Altar of virgin waters", in which vessels for collecting water 0.3 m high were found. Under the light of searchlights, the water in the lake acquires a rich blue tint. Artifacts in the form of pots, mortars, jade rosaries and incense burners were found in the western branch. Narrow passages make it too dangerous, so the road is closed for tourists.
Sacred Cenote
Cenote, located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza, is a natural well with a diameter of 60 m. Unlike the previous sanctum, this place was not used to receive its blessings, but, on the contrary, to render sacrifices to it. It was believed that the god of rain himself lives in the depths of green waters. Even in dry weather, water was not taken from here. The ancient Maya threw valuable things into the cenote: jewelry, ritual figurines, ceramics.
Another name for the cenote is the “Well of the Dead”. Begging the heavens for rain, they dumped them alive hereboys, girls and even children. It was believed that they did not die, but performed an intermediary role between the world of people and gods. For many years, archaeologists have been extracting human remains from the muddy soil of the cenote. There were legends about countless treasures buried at the bottom. Later, during the expeditions, the rumors about the we alth of the Maya were confirmed. Now their heritage is preserved in the National Museum of Mexico City. In value, it is inferior only to the treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Pyramid of Kukulkan
Also located in Chichen Itza, Kukulkan is a sacred Mayan temple. The construction of the building is attributed to 500-800 BC. e. Each side of the pyramid has 9 massive ledges. In the Mayan culture, this symbolizes the nine heavens from the Toltec legends. In the center of each face there are stairs arranged according to the four cardinal directions. Each staircase has 91 steps, and their total number is equal to the number 364. At the top of the stepped faces rises the temple, which is the last step of the sacred building, personifying the calendar year. Ritual dances and bloody sacrifices were held there.
The steep stairs are framed by a balustrade in the shape of the heads of the Feathered Serpent. During the equinox periods, a unique phenomenon is observed here: the shadow from the stepped faces falls on the stones of the balustrade, creating an optical illusion. It seems as if a mythical creature comes to life and crawls: in spring - up, in autumn - down.
Temple of the Inscriptions
Mexican scientist surveying the outskirts of the stateChiapas, in 1948, stumbled upon the ruins of the ancient city of Palenque. In its center is a stepped pyramid. The number of ledges, as in Kukulkan, is nine. The building also crowns the temple building, where ceremonies were held. Two holes were found in the stone slabs on the floor, which led archaeologists to think about additional rooms inside the pyramid. The guesses were confirmed: there is a tomb under the temple. The room measuring 9x4x7 m contained nine bas-reliefs of people in rich clothes, as well as slabs with many hieroglyphs. This is where the name of the pyramid comes from.
Among other things, they found a curious artifact. In the floor, under the slab, there was a burial of a man of about 40 years old. Having carefully examined the slab, the scientists were amazed at what they saw. It depicted a man sitting in some kind of aircraft. With one hand he held the lever, with the other he pressed the button. The right foot seemed to be pressing on the pedal. Historians considered this to be the first blueprint for a spaceship.
El Duende Cave
El Duende Cave is considered no less significant in the Mayan culture. In Spanish, the name of the cave means "ghost". For centuries it has been used for sacrifices. This is evidenced by a thick layer of human bones that covers the bottom of the cave like a carpet.
El Duende is a complex of chambers and passages between them. Outside, it was artificially given a pyramidal appearance. Underground water flowed inside. The combination of three elements (mountains, water and underground) made the cave stand out from the rest, making it sacred. Fleeingfrom the raids of neighboring tribes, the locals blocked the passages to the cave. Thus, they prevented the enemies from entering the sanctum. It was a desperate attempt to protect their shrine.
Aktun-Tunichil-Muknal Cave
The archaeological site is located near San Ignacio, in the city of Belize. To get there, you need to swim across a huge pond. Despite the presence of a reservoir nearby, an arid climate reigns inside. In addition to found examples of pottery, this sanctum is also known for sacrificial offerings. The main artifact of the cave was the "Crystal Girl". The skeleton of an 18-year-old girl found by archaeologists from time to time was covered with minerals, which is why when light hits it, a gleam appears on the surface of the bones.
Like other caves, Aktun-Tunichil-Muknal was seen as the entrance to the underworld, Xibalba. Sacrifices in sanctums have become the most important rite linking two dimensions.
