Why go
The cave gives a different view of Maya sacred space from the open plazas and temples of Chichen Itza. Objects discovered beyond a concealed wall were catalogued and returned to their original positions, making the relationship between offerings and underground chambers central to its significance.
What to look for
- Ceramics and figurines were found inside the cave network.
- A concealed wall revealed further chambers with incense burners, tools and jewelry.
- The cave’s archaeological objects were documented in their original setting.
The full story
Balankanché lies roughly four kilometres west of the Chichen Itza archaeological area. Its caves were known to researchers well before their best-known discovery: Edward Herbert Thompson and Alfred Tozzer visited in 1905, and later scientific teams examined them. In 1954, Edwin Shook and R. E. Smith explored the caves for the Carnegie Institution and recorded pottery and other objects. On 15 September 1959, local guide José Humberto Gómez found a concealed wall that opened onto additional chambers. The material beyond it included ceramics, carved stone incense burners, tools and jewelry. The Mexican heritage institute INAH catalogued the objects and returned them to their recorded positions, presenting the cave as an underground archaeological setting. The significance is the placement of offerings inside the cave, not simply the number of objects.
Useful to know
- Check current official visitor information for opening times and entry arrangements before planning a cave visit.
- Allow for an underground archaeological experience rather than a water or swimming stop.