| The Maya Indian Civilization flourished from 250AD | | | | known cave system that stretches deep into the |
| to 900AD; this is known as history's Classic | | | | neighboring country of Guatemala. The Mayan |
| Period; there were as many as one-million Maya | | | | Indians used these caves for travel, sacrificial and |
| Indians in Belize. | | | | religious purposes. |
| Between the Classic Period and Post-Classic Period | | | | To this day old Maya pottery, axes and skeletons |
| the Maya Empire split into separate conflicting | | | | can still be found deep in some of the Mayan |
| "City States," just like the Roman Empire, lasting | | | | caves in Belize. There have been reports of |
| until the Spanish Colonial Period in the early 1600's. | | | | Mayan "spirits hauntings" in some caves: cameras |
| Though not known why, there are many different | | | | and lanterns (even) stop working. |
| reasons this split could have happened, such as, | | | | If you are ever in a cave and your lantern goes |
| over population, a revolt, disease or drought. | | | | out, the light of a candle, lighter or match is |
| However, there is evidence that there was over | | | | enough to light the whole cave. Be sure and take |
| population. | | | | a back up light, no matter when or where you |
| Unlike the Inca or the Aztecs, the Maya did not | | | | explore a cave! |
| have one capital city that the Spanish could | | | | If you ever need help while in a cave 'calling' is |
| overthrow and cripple the entire Empire. The | | | | ones best option because ones voice can travel |
| Spanish had many separate "City States" to | | | | more then a mile inside a cave. |
| conquer because the empire had split 700 years | | | | When caving, take water, however, one does not |
| prior. The last Mayan city state of Zacpeten was | | | | need as much once in a cave because it is about |
| finally overthrown by the Spanish in 1697. | | | | 20 degrees cooler inside. It is not recommended |
| The Maya had mathematics with a base 20 and | | | | to drink cave water because of sanitation |
| base 5 numbering system just like math today. | | | | purposes. |
| They had a numeral system similar to Morse | | | | Sadly, many Mayan caves in Belize have been |
| Code, made of dots and dashes, however, the | | | | looted of precious artifacts. The current |
| dots are on top of dashes. One dot was the | | | | Government has enacted strict laws to protect |
| number One (1), number Five (5) was a dash, | | | | Belizes' rich heritage. Anyone caught with Mayan |
| number Six (6) would be a dot on top of a dash | | | | artifacts will be severely prosecuted! |
| and the number Ten (10) would be two dashes, | | | | Anything one might find in, on or around the Maya |
| one on top of the other, resembling an equal sign. | | | | Ruins and caves is for the enjoyment of all, so, |
| The Maya had measured the length of the solar | | | | please, take nothing but photos. |
| year to a high degree of accuracy. It has been | | | | Modern day Maya Indians do not build temples and |
| discovered this was far more accurate than that | | | | palaces like their ancestors. However, they keep |
| used in Europe as the basis of the Gregorian | | | | traditions alive with their food, art and language. |
| Calender. | | | | The Mayan people are soft spoken, kind and |
| Today, in Southern Belize, there remains a little | | | | warm hearted. |