Ancient Maya Canoe Unearthed in Mexican 'Underworld Portal'

A wooden canoe surrounded by human and animal skeletons, including an armadillo, dog, turkey, and eagle, has been discovered in an underwater cave near the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá in Mexico. The abundance of armadillo bones and the presence of a human foot suggest that the canoe may have been used in a Maya ritual and intentionally placed in the cave. Armadillos were considered an "avatar" for the Maya deity God L, associated with the underworld. Carbon analysis revealed that the canoe was built in the 16th century.