Horror discovery in ‘Midnight Terror Cave’ where remains of 118 ‘gagged’ human sacrifice victims were found

SCIENTISTS exploring a notorious grotto nicknamed the “Midnight Terror Cave” were shocked to discover the skeletal remains of 118 human sacrifices.

The cavern, discovered in central Belize in 2006, is believed to have played host to bloody rituals undertaken by the ancient Mayans.

Scientists researched what the victims consumed before their deaths, and now believe they have discovered further evidence of their torture.

Researchers from California State University, Los Angeles, say strange blue fibres found on the teeth of some victims may suggest many were gagged.

They found what they believed to be a string in the calcified plaque from two specimens’ teeth, known as dental calculus.

They also noted that residue on six of teeth contained cotton fibres, adding several were dyed bright blue.

“After finding minimal instances of dental pathology, I became interested in determining what foodstuffs the victims were consuming,” study lead author Amy Chan told Live Science.

“The discovery of blue cotton fibres in both samples was a surprise because blue is important in Maya ritual.”

The Mayan civilisation dominated much of Mexico and central America from around AD 250 to 925.

The blue shade has been found at other sites – where it was often used in other ceremonies.

According to , some researchers suggest that the fibres were coloured by an alcoholic drink that was commonly consumed by sacrificial victims to ease their suffering.

But others argue the fibres were present because of gags, as the victims were paraded from town to town over a period of time.

As they were in custody for a long period before execution, the fibres may have become incorporated in the tooth plaque.

“Many researchers think that calculus only reflects diet, but this study is a great example of how much more information can be learned,” Chan added.

The latest research comes after skeletal remains determined that sacrificial victims were even used as gruesome incense holders.

Experts believe victims likely sacrificed to the gods before tribesmen cut of their heads and used them to burn sweet-smelling chemicals.

Researchers made the disturbing discovery after finding a skull in mysterious underwater caves near the massive Mayan city of Chichen Itza in 2019.

They reckon the person was sacrificed deep within the caverns as they were believed to be the opening to the sacred world.

The Maya were an advanced civilisation who built great pyramids and stone cities but mysteriously abandoned them by the tenth century.

Scholars have debated what might have caused such a dramatic collapse of empire.

Most descendants of the Maya were living in agricultural villages by the time Spanish invaders arrived in the 16th Century, and there are few written records.