Caves, hills, and caches: The importance of karst landscapes for the Prehispanic and contemporary Maya / "Caves and Karst Across Time

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Publication Title

Caves and Karst Across Time

Volume Number

516

Abstract

Caves were and continue to be highly charged and sacred places for the Maya of Mexico and northern Central America. Viewed as the homes of gods, spirits, and ancestors as well as living beings themselves, they were the sites of regular ritual activities including the burning and caching of offerings. Caves defined and even at times provided the names for communities. They were often incorporated into the layout of cities, and the ancient elite associated themselves with caves through proximity, as well as representations in iconography and architecture in order to reinforce their political power.

Document Type

Book Chapter

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1130/2015.2516(16)

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