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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Chactun: A Long Lost Mayan City in the Mexican Jungle


A group of paleontologists have discovered a Mayan city in the rainforests of eastern Mexico, and they're trusting the revelation will bail them figure what prompted the ancient civilization's rice and fall hundreds of years back. The city, which paleologists have named Chactun or Red Rock, was in its prime between 600 and 900 AD, and is made up of 15 pyramids, different squares, homes and work places for upper class parts of social order, and ball courts, as said by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Around 40,000 individuals may have existed in Chactun throughout its prime, as said by Reuters. The city is blankets around the range of 54 acres of land area, and its closest neighbor is Xpujil, an antiquated Mayan town likewise in vestiges, in the vicinity of 10 miles away. The group that discovered Chactun was headed by paleontologist Ivan Sprajc, from the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Sprajc told Reuters that the city was totally secured in bush development and vegetation when they ran across it, yet that they have confirm that other individuals had gone to the city something like 20 to 30 years back. Sprajc said in the report that loggers and gum extractors were unquestionably as of recently there, on the grounds that they saw cuts on the trees. "What happened is they never told anybody." he added.

Chactun is a city buried in Yucatan's rainforest.

Sprajc and his group went on the chase for Chactun in the wake of taking a gander at some aerial photographs of rainforests in the Mexican state of Yucatan. "With aerial photographs examined stereoscopically, we found many features that were obviously architectural remains. From there we took the coordinates and the next step was to locate the ancient alleys used by tappers and loggers to reach the area."  Sprajc said. The used something like three weeks clearing a 10-mile way from Xpujil to achieve the Chactun, which has is separated into three divisions that each one have their own particular landmarks, the Institute said. Before each of the monuments, Sprajc said that his group has discovered fired offerings, which indicate that these may have been places for worship.

More research needs to be done to uncover why the city was abandoned. However the Mayans may have left because of demographic and atmosphere weights, or wars, the excavator told Reuters. At its biggest focus, the Mayan civilization stretched out from southern Mexico into Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The finding of Chactun happens a week after the lost city of Mahendraparvta was revealed in Cambodia.

Chactun will add to the number of reasons as to why you need to visit Mexico and uncover its rich culture. Not to forget the adventures you need to experience like exploring the underwater caves in Mexico and having to try cenote diving in one of its known cenotes.

Image credits: theverge.com

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Top Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico


A cenote is a pit or sinkholes made naturally by forces in the earth. It’s a result of the collapsing of limestone bedrocks that exposes the groundwater underneath it. Cenotes are commonly associated with the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. 

Cenote originates from the Mayan word "dzonot" or "ts'onot" which means consecrated or sacred well. Cenotes were the fundamental source of new water for the ancient Mayan civilization. Mayans accepted the cenotes held therapeutic components and recognized a large number of them to be consecrated. They additionally accepted cenotes to be entries to the underworld and an approach to correspond with the divine beings. The Sacred  Cenote or Cenote Sagrado at Chichen Itza was utilized to perform human presents back then. 

These wonderful sinkholes are popular and are open to the public. Here, we have listed the best cenotes in Mexico at the Yucatan Peninsula to visit. 

1. Ik-Kil

Also called the "Sacred Blue Cenote", Ik-Kil is a perfectly clear, round in shape cenote. Found on the roadway between Chichen and Valladolid, this cenote is around the range of 130 feet deep. It is in the ballpark of 85 feet from the surface so you will stroll down a wooden stairway to reach the cenote. Ik-Kil is more famous with swimmers and snorkelers than divers. Just near it are restaurants and little palapa homes for those wanting to stay overnight. When in there, search for the waterfalls and the rich green vegetation hanging the distance down to the water.

2. Dos Ojos

Found about nine miles south of Tulum is the Cenote Dos Ojos also known as “two eyes”.  It was named two eyes because these are two round cenotes that looks like eyes. This is an extremely popular cenote and there is a cave underneath where jumpers can explore a vast 500 meters of the underworld. Did you know that IMAX shot a piece of their film "Journey into Amazing Caves" here?

3. Gran Cenote (Sac Aktun)

Having the name Gran / Grand, meaning great, this cenote is unquestionably a sight to see. Found just outside of Tulum, it is not difficult to see. The Gran Cenote has different regions for those who love to swim, to snorkel, and for scuba jumpers. Here, you’ll find fish and turtles and be extra of the stalactites abundant in the area to not hit your head.  Numerous individuals and visitors say this cenote is their favorite among others.

Mexicans and foreign visitors all look forward to visit the wonderful cenotes of the Mexican Caribbean. They may use the day swimming in the water, snorkeling, plunging, sunbathing or just simply unwinding. Arrange your cenote tours, visit a cenote now and connect with the old Mayan culture.

Image credits: amazingplacesonearth.com

 

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