Pictures of Mayans

A daring photographer has plunged the depths to capture these stunning pictures of an ancient Mayan sinkhole.

The 400ft pit in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, is believed to be an ancient sacrificial Mayan site filled with animal and human bones.

The spectacular pictures were taken by American underwater photographer and scuba instructor Troy Iloski, who travelled with local tour guides Antonio Molina Piquard, Anna Nicolaus and Bernardo Miranda.

Troy said: 'I think the ancient Mayans use this giant hole for sacrifice or burial.

'The pit is an amazing sinkhole inside the deep jungle, an upstream branch of the Sistema Dos Ojos in Mexico.

There are an estimated 6000 cenotes (naturally formed sinkholes) in Mexico, but less than half have been explored.

A daring photographer has plunged the depths to capture these stunning pictures of an ancient Mayan sinkhole

Cenote is a naturally formed pit or sinkhole made of limestone and some were used as a source of fresh water for Mayans with their entire towns built around them

The 400ft pit in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, is believed to be an ancient sacrificial Mayan site filled with animal and human bones

The spectacular pictures were taken by American underwater photographer and scuba instructor Troy Iloski (left), who travelled with local tour guides Antonio Molina Piquard, Anna Nicolaus (right) and Bernardo Miranda

There are an estimated 6000 cenotes (naturally formed sinkholes) in Mexico, but less than half have been explored

Troy Iloski travelled deep in the jungle to an upstream branch of the Sistema Dos Ojos to make the dive

Troy said: 'I think the ancient Mayans use this giant hole for sacrifice or burial.'

'The pit is an amazing sinkhole inside the deep jungle, an upstream branch of the Sistema Dos Ojos in Mexico, ' Troy added.

• Timeline of the Mayans
• Define Mayans
• Facts on the Mayans
• Pictures of Mayan people
• Important Mayan gods