Midnight Terror Cave is a cave in centralBelize that was discovered in 2006 nearSpringfield. The site was worked on byCalifornia State University, Los Angeles' field school as part of the Western Belize Regional Cave Project under Dr. Jaime Awe.[1] The cave contained around 9000 human bones,[2] from at least 118 individuals,[3] and is one of the largest sacrificial assemblages ever discovered in theMaya Lowlands.[3]
The site is thought to have been a site ofhuman sacrifice to the Maya rain godChaak.[4] An analysis of 100 teeth found at the site showed around a quarter to be less worn down than others, suggesting that they came from the mouths of children.[2] The enamel of the teeth showed that these children had travelled to the site from more than 200 miles away.[2]
Peer-reviewed articles have discussed preliminary findings from the site[5][6] as well as pathological findings.[3][7][8]
Other Maya archaeological sites in the vicinity areCahal Pech,Chaa Creek,El Pilar,Xunantunich, andActun Tunichil Muknal.
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