Understand
The Actun Tunichil Muknal literally translated as "Cave of the Stone Sepulcher" is a relatively recent discovery and can be considered to be more of an eco-tourist destination rather than a traditional caving experience. Guides take great pains to stress the importance of Actun Tunichil Muknal as both a natural formation and a site of historical interest.
History
The cave was discovered in 1992, and was subsequently featured on the National Geographic Explorer film, Journey Through the Underworld. Actun Tunichil Muknal represents one of the most well-preserved examples of pre-classical Mayan culture around 700 - 900 AD, featuring skeletal remains of human sacrifices and scores of Mayan pottery and other ceremonial objects. Since then, the cave has been completely mapped and explored, covering a total distance of about 5.3 km.
The cave was opened to the public in 2000, and the artifacts within are in the same position as they were when the cave was first explored by researchers. These skeletal remains and Mayan objects are currently in the process of being properly demarcated by archeologists and the Belize Tourism Board to prevent damage unwittingly caused by tourists.