The mystery of the Mayan sacrificial well: that treasure hunters were found at the bottom of the sacred cenot

In order to obtain the mercy of the gods, the Maya threw jewels, gold objects and even sacrificed people into the sacred senot.

According to scientists, the last sacrifice was completely in Chichen Itza shortly before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the early 16th century, after which the city finally lost its political and religious significance. The sacred senot was abandoned and gradually began to overgrow.

The well itself is a natural formation typical of the Yucatan peninsula. In the Maya language, the word "tsonot" means a well. Such wells are formed as a result of karst dips and often have a round or elliptical shape. At the bottom of the funnel, whose depth can reach hundreds of meters, underground water and atmospheric precipitation accumulate. That is why cenotes were used by local residents as a source of water, which was there even during a prolonged drought. In addition to cenotes, other sources of water in this part of the peninsula simply does not exist: a surface of porous limestone easily passes atmospheric precipitation deep into the river, without forming rivers and streams.

The sacred senot, whose depth is about 50 meters, lies to the north of the main temple structures of Chichen Itza and from the central pyramid of Kukulkan. It leads to a sacred path, the length of about 300 meters.

The possible riches stored at the bottom of the well were quickly discovered by the seekers of treasures and precious metal. Since then, the sacred senot has not given rest to lovers of adventure and easy money, which was not stopped by the fact that the well was sacred and there are the remains of the deceased.

One of the first documentary evidence of the sacrificial well is the records of the Spanish priest Diego de Landa. Written in 1566, the book describes the senote to the north of Chichen Itza as a repository of a large quantity of gold and valuable items. But it was not possible to get to the bottom of the well.

At the end of the 19th century, the American Edward Herbert Thompson came to the Yucatan Peninsula, who was a diplomatic representative of the United States and, in combination, a very wealthy man. Inspired by the testimonies of the Spanish clergyman, Edward Thompson purchased a dredger and diving suits. With the help of this simple inventory, he managed to get a lot of armaments, precious cups and goblets, gold, jade and copper jewelry from the bottom of the sacred well. It is worth noting that the total value of the products found was inferior only to the wealth of the tomb of Tutankhamun. It was a grandiose find.

In addition, at the bottom of the well were found the remains of 42 people, which partly confirmed the version that in the well as sacrifices, they threw not only valuable items and weapons, but also people. Although it is for certain unknown, under what circumstances, these people were there, and at what time this happened.

But in search of an American diplomat, the study of the well did not end. In the 60s of the last century, scientists from the University of Mexico made two attempts to study the contents of the sacred cenot. From the bottom mud managed to extract two wooden thrones, a lot of jewelry and ritual objects, bone remains of people and animals.

Today, the sacred senot is visited by tourists who come to the ancient city of Chichen Itza. The city itself is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is under the protection of the leadership of Mexico. The sacrificial well is gradually overgrown with tropical shrubs, and the peaceful atmosphere reigning around does not associate with the horrible events that took place here hundreds of years ago.