Photographer's Comments

"This photograph was taken within a cave called Actun Tunichil Muknal, which is one of the most impressive caves in Belize. Along with it's amazing geological formations this cave is also packed with tons of Mayan artifacts. The Mayas believed that caves were the entrance to an underworld which they called Xibalba. As a result they performed many of their most sacred rituals within them. After climbing up a ledge you enter the main ceremonial area with several chambers. In a small chamber far inside the cave is this skeleton, the body of a female sacrificial victim. Over the centuries it has been encrusted in calcite making her shimmer under the light. As a result, she was named the Crystal Maiden." Alex Gamero