Loltun Cave facts for kids
Loltun Cave is an amazing cave located in the Yucatán region of Mexico. It's about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) south of a town called Oxkutzcab. Inside this cave, you can find ancient paintings and drawings made by the Maya civilization. Some of these artworks are from a very old time called the Late Preclassic Era, or even earlier! The name "Loltun" comes from the Maya language and means "Flower Stone."
Contents
Exploring Loltun Cave's Past
Loltun Cave is quite long, stretching for about two kilometers (1.2 miles). It's like a natural time capsule!
Ancient Discoveries
Scientists have found many clues inside Loltun Cave that show humans lived there a very long time ago. They discovered bones from ancient animals like mammoths, bison, and deer. These animals lived during the Pleistocene era, which was thousands of years ago.
The cave walls are covered with natural formations and incredible paintings. You can see hand-painted images, including human faces made using a special "negative" technique. There are also sculptures, animal drawings, and cool geometric shapes. Tools used by ancient people were also found here.
How the Maya Used the Cave
The ancient Maya people also used Loltun Cave. It was a safe place for them to live and take shelter. They even collected clay from the cave to make their tools.
What You Can See Today
When you visit Loltun Cave, you can take a tour through its many fascinating areas. Some parts of the cave have special names because of their unique features:
- The "Room of Musical Columns" has formations that make sounds when tapped.
- There's a huge vault called "The Cathedral."
- You can see "Jaltunes," the "Grand Canyon," and even a formation shaped like a "Corn Cob."
- Look out for the "Infant" and the mysterious "Black Hand Paintings."
- There's also a "Room of Stalactites" and ancient trenches.
In one part of the cave, called the Huechil cavity, archaeologists found more bones of extinct animals like mammoths. They also found traces of plants that are different from what grows there today.
People have been using Loltun Cave for over 10,000 years! It was even used as a hiding spot during the Caste War of Yucatán, a conflict that happened many years ago.
Where is Loltun Cave?
Loltun Cave is located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) southwest of Mérida, a big city in Yucatán. It's also just 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) south of the town of Oxkutzcab.
See also
In Spanish: Loltún para niños
