Unraveling the Mystery of the Crystal Maiden Skeleton.
The Crystal Maiden is an ancient Maya skeleton found in the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave in Belize, covered in calcite crystals due to weathering in the limestone-rich cave. Believed to have belonged to a 17-year-old male who was likely killed as a sacrifice to the gods, the skeleton is a popular tourist attraction. The cave also contains numerous examples of ancient Maya pottery and at least 14 more human skeletons. Visitors must be accompanied by an experienced guide and cameras are banned unless visitors have special permission.