{"id":11381,"date":"2018-04-25T10:00:55","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aarp.waveinteractive.com\/blog\/?p=11381"},"modified":"2018-07-18T16:58:17","modified_gmt":"2018-07-18T20:58:17","slug":"researchers-make-amazing-underwater-discovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/researchers-make-amazing-underwater-discovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers Make Amazing Underwater Discovery"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to National Geographic, researchers announced that they have discovered the world\u2019s largest underwater cave.<\/p>\n

For nearly a year, the Underwater Exploration Group of the Great Maya Aquifer Project focused on finding flooded cave systems in Mexico\u2019s Yucatan Peninsula<\/a>. However, researchers have hunted for the connection between the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos cave system for years. This January, after mapping out the submerged maze and all of its tunnels, the researchers finally pinpointed the largest water cave, which spans 215 miles.<\/p>\n

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Image Via INAH\/MEXICO’S NATIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY INSTITUTE (INAH)<\/p><\/div>\n

Beyond its sheer size, the largest cave system in the world below the water\u2019s surface is a spectacular find because of what it can tell us about the past and Maya culture. Before water levels rose and flooded the caves at the end of the Ice Age, it\u2019s believed that the Mayas communicated with gods and engaged in ritual activities in these caves. The caves are now a submerged archeological site, where researchers have already uncovered 9,000-year-old human remains and relics, such as ceramics. They\u2019ve also found bones from extinct Ice Age animals, including bears and giant sloths. The site is the largest of its kind, but it\u2019s also celebrated because of its state of preservation.<\/p>\n

Based on this amazing find, researchers are continuing to look for additional cave connections in the Tulum area, which could mean this system is even bigger than currently measured. With more than 350 flooded caves in the region, there is still a lot of uncharted territory.<\/p>\n

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Image via INAH\/MEXICO’S NATIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY INSTITUTE (INAH)<\/p><\/div>\n

Interested in learning more about Maya culture, without venturing below the water\u2019s surface? The city of Tulum <\/a>is located near this underwater cave system. It\u2019s home to the pre-Columbian Maya city in Quintana Roo, Mexico<\/a>. In Tulum, you\u2019ll find protected ruins on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, which are remnants of one of the Maya\u2019s last cities.<\/p>\n

For more Maya history, nearby Chichen Itza<\/a> is located just north of Tulum. Considered one of the largest Maya cities, the ruins attract tourists from all around the globe. Here at the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia\u00ae, you\u2019ll find a number of Maya-focused tours, such as the 2-in-1 Combo Tour: Chichen Itza & Tulum Express and the Be Maya Cultural Experience<\/a>. Explore ancient history in the Yucatan Peninsula, and keep an eye out for more discoveries from the underwater world in this region.<\/p>\n

Not an AARP member? It\u2019s easy to sign up and join. Membership is only $16 per year.<\/p>\n

Header image via\u00a0INAH\/MEXICO’S NATIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY INSTITUTE (INAH)<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

According to National Geographic, researchers announced that they have discovered the world\u2019s largest underwater cave. For nearly a year, the Underwater Exploration Group of the Great Maya Aquifer Project focused on finding flooded cave systems in Mexico\u2019s Yucatan Peninsula. However, researchers have hunted for the connection between the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos cave system<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":11452,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[347],"tags":[1305,1517,1516],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nResearchers Make Amazing Underwater Discovery - AARP Travel Center Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Did you know? 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