The world’s longest underwater cave, containing unique relics, has been discovered in Mexico

Within the cavern’s tunnels, divers have found traces of ancient American civilizations, extinct fauna, and Maya artifacts.

Mexico is renowned for its cenotes—underwater caves and lakes formed in limestone rocks—that captivate travelers and adventurers from around the globe. Recently, divers stumbled upon a new cave, which has turned out to be the longest known cave in the world, measuring a staggering 347 kilometers. This remarkable cave is situated near the pre-Columbian Mayan city of Tulum, within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The cave not only stands out for its monumental size and breathtaking natural formations but also for the archaeological discoveries made within its depths. Unique relics from the Mayan civilization, including ceramic vessels and skeletal remains, have been remarkably preserved. The study of these findings may offer insights into the life and mysterious disappearance of this ancient civilization. Additionally, remnants of ancient structures have been conserved since the cave was not submerged in water during ancient times.

Guillermo de Anda, a researcher at the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico, remarks, “Traces of the first American civilizations, extinct fauna, and Maya were found in the cave.”

Exploration of the Sac Actun and Dos Ojos cave systems has been ongoing for approximately 14 years. It is only now that a tunnel connecting the two systems has been discovered, concealing intriguing artifacts. Researchers anticipate that this cave will become “the most significant underwater archaeological site in the world, housing countless preserved secrets.”

The highest chamber within the underwater cave reaches a depth of 20 kilometers, while the majority of its tunnels vary in height from 2 to 100 meters.

Previously, experts believed that the cave’s length amounted to 270 kilometers. It was in close competition with the Ox Bel Ha cave system, situated west of Tulum, which stretches for 270.2 kilometers of interconnected tunnels.