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Caverns of Loltun
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Only 4.3 miles from Oxkutzcab and 15 miles northeast from Labna ruins.
Loltun Caverns are one of the biggest known from the huge
cave system that covers a great territory in southern
Yucatan. They have been arranged for
a safe tour, approximately a 500mts of illuminated paths, in which we can admire huge and
excellent chambers with stalactites, stalagmites and interesting petro
glyphs and
rupestrian paintings.
At Loltun, the visitor can learn the natural and cultural history of the Northern Maya Lowlands within a 10,000 years period, from the late Pleistocene to Contemporary times. In one of its cavities, locally known as "Huechil" (from the Maya "Huech": armadillo), archaeological excavations were carried out, and in one of its lowest levels, extinct animal remains were found: mammoth, bison, feline and other animal bones, indicating a colder climate period with a different environment to that of the present. Man made stone tools appeared in a superior level, probably produced by th first Peninsula's inhabitants.
It's important to notice the "musical" columns, formed by the union of stalactites and stalagmites, that produce sounds with different tones when they are knocked; or a magnificent gallery with its collapsed ceiling, with descending tree roots and sun rays...
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Other
material remains have been found in this and other parts of the grout including pottery,
marine shells, stone artifacts, bas-relief carvings, petro glyphs and mural paintings,
corresponding to the distinct development stages of the Maya Culture. From the Formative
period (600 B.C. - 150 A.D.) stands out the bas-relief carving known as "The Loltun
Warrior", located in Nahkab (beehive) entrance, presenting inherited traits from
ancient Olmecs. From Classic (150 - 900 A.D.) and Post classic (900 A.D. to 16th century)
can be observed cultural features such as mural paintings representing hands, faces,
animals, geometric motifs and inscriptions; "haltunes"
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