Belize has been the focus of recent research that has unearthed new ways of understanding its early history.
A team of earth scientists has concluded that the ancient Maya who lived in Belize died from a prolonged, 100-year drought. That conclusion comes from a new study of sand sediment taken from the Blue Hole of Belize, a famous ocean sinkhole. It’s one of the first studies to give strong evidence of what many scientists and historians had previously theorized. The drought probably caused migration, unrest and other problems that led to the great civilization’s downfall.
Another study focused on the fossilized remains of a prehistoric giant sloth that lived in the Belize region 27,000 years ago. The tooth in particular yielded a wealth of information about what Belize was like back then. Far from being the tropical jungle that it is today, it was a dry area where water was hard to find. Scientists believe that the sloth died after he dove into a sinkhole to look for water and was unable to climb back out.
Belize is full of discovery, and it’s time to make your own discovery of this fascinating country. If you love learning about history, exploring ancient paths, immersing yourself in nature and testing yourself in the wild, Belize is the place for you.
Spend a day climbing the intricate, impressively engineered Maya temples. Belize is home to some of the most important Maya sites in the world. The famous ruins of Tikal are just over the border in Guatemala. Museums and interactive exhibits help you understand the true history of the Maya, while cave tours and temple tours take you deep inside the places where they lived.
Snorkel and scuba dive the Blue Hole of Belize, an amazing natural phenomenon made famous in numerous nature documentaries. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world, offering a world of rare and exotic sea life to divers.
Many travel guides have listed Belize as a top destination for adventure travel. If you’re planning to discover that for yourself, get the most out of your Belize expedition at Caves Branch Adventure Company and Jungle Lodge. We are the original adventure company that created many of Belize’s best-known excursions, including cave tubing.