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, made sacrifices.
The Latin word "sanctum" is translated as "saint." Sanctum is a sacred place where ritual acts were performed. The original relief churches served as original temples for the ancients: mountains, caves, grottoes, gorges, or cenotes. In addition to the natural sanctuaries, artificial structures were built to thank the gods for their gifts. The developed system of sanctums was distinguished by Mayan civilization. It is amazing that some shrines have remained unchanged, and to this day have kept unsolved secrets.
Balanchanche Cave
The first mention of the Balanchanche dates back to the third millennium BC. For Native American Mayans, it became a venue for religious rituals. Since the cave contained a source of clean water, Mayan rain god Chuck was worshiped here. Her entrance was associated with a portal to the other world. The branched system of the Balankanche 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 building - the “World Tree Room”. It is a grotto with a limestone column in the center, symbolizing the structure of the universe. In the bowels is the “Altar of Virgin Waters”, from which vessels for collecting water 0.3 m high were found. Under the light of floodlights, the water in the lake acquires a rich blue hue. In the western branch, artifacts were found in the form of pots, mortars, jade rosaries and incense burners. The narrow passages make it too dangerous, so the road is closed to tourists here.
Holy cenote
Cenote, located in the ancient city of Chichen Itza, is a natural well with a diameter of 60 m. Sheer walls paved with limestone rocks abruptly break off near muddy water, through which the bottom is not visible even in directional light. 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 rain god himself dwells in the depths of green waters . Even in dry weather they didn’t take water from here. Ancient Mayans threw valuable things at the cenote: jewelry, ritual figures, ceramics.
Another name for the cenote is “Well of the Dead”. Begging for rain from heaven, young men, girls, and even children were thrown here alive. It was believed that they did not die, but performed an intermediary role between the world of people and gods. For many years, archaeologists extracted human remains from the silty soil of the cenote. There were legends of countless treasures buried at the bottom. Later, during expeditions, rumors of Mayan riches were confirmed. Now their legacy is preserved in the National Museum of Mexico City. In value, it is inferior only to the treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Kukulkan Pyramid
Also located in Chichen Itza, Kukulkana is a sacred Mayan temple. The construction is attributed to 500-800 BC. e. Each side of the pyramid has 9 massive ledges. In Mayan culture, this symbolizes nine heavens from the Toltec traditions. In the center of each facet there are stairs installed according to four cardinal points. Each staircase has 91 steps, and their total number is equal to the number 364. At the top of the stepped faces, a temple rises, which is the last step of the sacred structure that personifies the calendar year. It held ritual dances and bloody sacrifices.
Steep stairs are framed by a balustrade in the form of the heads of the Feathered Serpent. In the periods of the equinox, 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 creeps: in spring - up, in autumn - down.
Temple of the inscriptions
A Mexican scientist, exploring the vicinity of the state of Chiapas, in 1948 came across the ruins of the ancient city of Palenque. In its center is a step pyramid. The number of ledges, as in Kukulkan, is nine. The building is also crowned with a temple structure where rituals were held. Two holes were discovered in stone slabs on the floor, which led archaeologists to think about additional rooms inside the pyramid. Guesses were confirmed: under the temple there is a tomb. The room measuring 9x4x4 meters contained nine bas-reliefs of people in rich clothes, as well as plates with many hieroglyphs. From this comes the name of the pyramid.
Among other things, they found a curious artifact. In the floor, under the stove, there was a burial place of a man of about 40 years old. Having carefully examined the stove, scientists were amazed at what they saw. It depicted a man sitting in a kind of aircraft. With one hand he held the lever, with the other he clamped the button. The right leg seemed to press on the pedal. Historians considered this as the first drawing of a spaceship.
Cave of El Duende
No less significant in the Mayan culture is the El Duende Cave. Translated from 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, which covers the bottom of the cave, like a carpet.
El Duende is a complex of chambers and passages between them. Outside, she was artificially given a pyramidal appearance. Inside was a stream of groundwater. The combination of three elements (mountains, water and dungeons) distinguished the cave from the rest, making it sacred. Fleeing the raids of neighboring tribes, local residents blocked up the passages into the cave. Thus, they did not allow the enemies to penetrate the sanctum. This 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 cross a huge pond. Despite the presence of a pond nearby, an arid climate reigns inside. In addition to the found specimens of ceramic dishes, this sanctum is also known for sacrifices. The main artifact of the cave was the Crystal Girl. The skeleton of an 18-year-old girl, found by archaeologists, was covered with minerals from time to time, which causes light to glisten on the surface of the bones.
Like other caves, Aktun-Tunichil-Muknal was seen as the entrance to the underworld, Shibalba. Sacrifice sacrifices have become an important rite that connects the two dimensions.