Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Mexico part 2 – Intrepid explorer and nature lover Steve Backshall embarks on an exciting but perilous journey into the heart of the Yucatan jungle in Mexico, determined to uncover the mysterious secrets of the ancient Maya civilization. Accompanied by a crew of expert adventurers, including renowned Mexican archaeologist Guillermo de Anda, highly-skilled cave diver Robbie Schmittner, and former Royal Marine Aldo Kane, Steve is hot on the trail of the Maya’s sacred and forbidden underground caverns known as Xibalba, meaning ‘place of fear’ in the Maya language.
 
According to Maya mythology, Xibalba was the underworld – a nightmarish realm inhabited by ghastly gods and tormented spirits. The Maya believed Xibalba could only be accessed through secretive caves dotted throughout the Yucatan peninsula. Known to make ritual sacrifices and offerings to their gods in these caves, the Maya certainly had good reason to fear this ominous underworld. As Steve and his crew begin to explore the dark, undisturbed caves, an eerie feeling sets in.
In the first cave, Steve is shocked to find the walls covered in tiny handprints belonging to Maya children, some as young as two years old. This chilling discovery prompts the unsettling question – what became of these innocent children? Did they meet an untimely end at the hands of the Maya priests? Delving further into the caves, Steve and his team begin to uncover more evidence of the Maya’s macabre rituals.
After abseiling down precarious drops in full scuba gear, the crew enters an ominous cavern containing a flooded burial site littered with human bones and skulls, undoubtedly sacrificed to appease the Maya gods. As Steve wades through this underwater graveyard, he gains insight into the Maya’s complex spirituality and their desperate desire to avoid divine wrath, though their methods seem abhorrent by modern standards.
Pushing onward and descending into the deepest recesses of Xibalba, Steve and his crew amazingly uncover sacred Maya artefacts and relics in pristine condition. These rare finds significantly further modern understanding of the Maya civilization and their connection to Xibalba. In the final cave, the team is awe-struck to discover a spectacular hidden underwater lake, uncharted territory begging to be explored.
Donning cave diving equipment, Steve and Robbie steel their nerves and delve deeper into the submerged lake than any previous explorers, determined to uncover the enigmas of this lost world. Their perilous journey into Xibalba provides a fascinating glimpse into the Maya underworld and sheds new light on this ancient, advanced society whose mysteries still captivate people today.
Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall – Mexico part 2 – Uncovering the Mysteries of the Ancient Maya in Mexico
Explorer Steve Backshall has always been fascinated by undiscovered places. His insatiable curiosity has taken him across the globe, from the depths of the world’s oceans to the peaks of its tallest mountains. Recently, Backshall set his sights on the steamy jungles of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, drawn by the legends of a mysterious ancient civilization – the Maya.
Venturing Into the Unknown
The Yucatan’s flat landscape hides a secret underworld – a vast network of underwater caves and sinkholes penetrating deep into the earth. Backshall knew these water-filled caverns, shrouded in darkness, could hold clues to the Maya and their enigmatic rituals. However, exploring the treacherous caves would push his team to their limits. “When you’re standing in a place that no-one has ever stood before, it’s very, very precious,” says Backshall. His sense of discovery is palpable.
Accompanying Backshall was a team of experts, including renowned Mexican archaeologist Guillermo de Anda, cave diving specialist Robbie Schmittner, and former Royal Marine Aldo Kane. De Anda has dedicated his career to studying the Maya and their relationship with the caves. His expertise would prove invaluable.
After meeting with De Anda at a remote cenote, a water-filled sinkhole sacred to the Maya, it was time for the first dive. The team lowered themselves and their equipment down a well into the cave’s flooded chamber below. As Backshall descended into the icy depths, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. “We’re effectively going into a sunken mausoleum,” he says, suppressing a shiver.
Deciphering the Darkness
The Maya believed these caves were portals to Xibalba, the underworld. To appease the gods and stave off human suffering, they offered sacrifices, often in unimaginably gruesome rituals. As Backshall’s lights pierced the blackness, an eerie sight emerged from the gloom – a human skull with teeth encrusted in a strange discolored residue. De Anda identified it as a ritual modification that likely signified an offering.
All around, scattered bones mutely testified to the Maya’s macabre ceremonies. “It’s like a detective story, putting it all back together,” says Backshall. De Anda points out forensic evidence of hearts being forcibly removed from living sacrifices. Backshall struggles to reconcile the refined astronomy and architecture of the Maya with such unchecked brutality. What drove them to these barbaric depths?
Turning Back Time
Venturing onward into the sunless labyrinths, the team uncovered astonishing artifacts left by Maya seeking spiritual solace deep underground. At the base of a difficult descent, they discovered a phallic-shaped stone pillar surrounded by limestone formations resembling male and female anatomy. De Anda explains it honors fertility and life itself. Further in, shattered pots evoke ancient rituals, their power released by deliberate destruction. Each discovery provided more pieces to the puzzle.
In the furthest reaches, they uncovered something remarkable – an intricate painting of a jaguar, an underworld deity. De Anda explains the immense effort required to create it in such an inhospitable environment. To Backshall, it shows the reverence these caves held for the Maya and their determination to leave offerings that invoked the gods residing deep within the earth.
Breaking New Ground
Elsewhere in the Yucatan’s green sea of jungle, Schmittner caught wind of a legendary cave purported to contain Maya relics. He led Backshall into its gaping mouth. Just inside, an ancient Maya altar emerged from the shadows. Schmittner identified a skull-like formation, central to Maya iconography. As if the cave was eager to share its secrets, an artefact unlike any they’d seen appeared – an exquisitely sculpted ceramic vessel. “This is a special place,” says Schmittner confidently.
They pressed on through unexplored passages where massive tree roots resembled tentacles probing down through the ceiling. Schmittner spotted a crystalline pool ahead – a whole subaquatic room never before seen by human eyes. The next morning, they returned with scuba gear, prepared to dive into the unknown.
The frigid water concealed dangers – disorienting tunnels, tight squeezes requiring slow meticulous movements to pass through. After one agonizingly claustrophobic section, Backshall approached his limit. As Schmittner continued, Backshall turned back, humbled by the power of the cave. He was awed to learn Schmittner laid 500 meters of guideline in the uncharted depths before halting as his lifeline ran out. The cave’s mysteries call for another day.
Bringing Past and Present Together
By delving into the Maya underworld, Backshall illuminated an ancient civilization, paying tribute to those whose devotion led them deep underground to worship their gods. Simultaneously, he expanded scientific knowledge to protect vital freshwater resources for the modern world. His team’s courage and expertise made these extraordinary discoveries possible. However, the caves still guard many secrets. Backshall remains determined to shed more light on the wonders of our planet, redefining the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. Our undiscovered worlds hold boundless potential if we dare to explore them.
Frequently Asked Questions
**What is Steve Backshall’s net worth?**
While Backshall’s exact net worth is unclear, as a popular TV presenter and author, it is likely in the millions of dollars. His wealth comes from his TV shows, books, and sponsored adventures.
**What is Guillermo de Anda’s research on the Maya?**
As an archaeologist, Guillermo de Anda has dedicated decades to studying the Maya civilization, with a focus on their relationship with caves. His research has uncovered Maya artifacts and rituals deep inside caves they used for ceremonies.
**What is Robbie Schmittner’s most famous cave dive?**
Renowned cave diver Robbie Schmittner is famous for exploring the world’s most difficult underwater caves. His most acclaimed dive was penetrating 500 meters into a cave in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, setting a new record.
**What is Aldo Kane’s most famous military mission?**
As a former Royal Marine, Aldo Kane served in many classified operations. He is likely best known for his role in hostage rescue missions, though details remain secret. His skills kept the team safe on their dangerous cave explorations.
**What were the reasons for human sacrifice in the Maya civilization?**
Experts believe the Maya practiced bloody rituals like human sacrifice to appease their gods, especially during times of hardship like drought. Sacrifices were also thought to release the godly power of blood. Cultural beliefs normalized the rituals.
