Deep Chamber
Muse Science Magazine for Kids|January 2020
Cave divers are helping us discover the ancient past.
Steve Murray
Deep Chamber

In ancient times, people used caves as shelters. When they moved, they often left things behind. Animals used caves for shelter, too, and left their bones inside when they died. Many of these remains were organic, such as wood tools and animal hides, and seldom lasted very long after time and weather destroyed or scattered them. Finding organic artifacts has always been a challenge for archaeologists and paleontologists.

About 12,000 years ago, warming temperatures melted much of the world’s glacier ice. Sea levels rose about 360 feet (110 m), and many caves were flooded. Cold, still water can preserve and protect organic materials in caves by keeping people and animals out. This water often has very little oxygen, so there are fewer living organisms and chemicals to damage cave contents. Without wind, waves or strong currents to move things around, underwater caves hold clues to how early humans lived. They’re just waiting for scientists to find them.

AN ICE AGE TIME CAPSULE

Most of the porous limestone caves beneath Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula are filled with water. Divers have been working for many years to map them. In 2007, three divers—Alberto Nava, Alex Alvarez, and Franco Attolini—entered a huge underwater chamber, now named Hoyo Negro (“Black Hole”), and made a discovery that would change our understanding of ancient peoples in the Americas. “We discovered it somewhat by luck,” says Nava. “We were just exploring a tunnel and all of a sudden we came up into this big pit.” Hoyo Negro was more than 200 feet (62 m) wide and its floor was 150 feet (47 m) below sea level. It had been formed by the collapse of limestone where three underwater tunnels came together. The chamber contained the remains of large, now-extinct animals . . . and a human skull.

Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Muse Science Magazine for Kids.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Muse Science Magazine for Kids.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MUSE SCIENCE MAGAZINE FOR KIDSVer todo
A Mars Rock Found With Leopard Spots Could Be a Sign of Ancient Life
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

A Mars Rock Found With Leopard Spots Could Be a Sign of Ancient Life

IN JULY, NASA'S PERSEVERANCE ROVER CAME ACROSS A SPOTTED ROCK IN WHAT WAS ONCE A RIVERBED IN THE JEZERO CRATER ON MARS.

time-read
1 min  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
Para Athlete Uses Exoskeleton Suit to Carry the Olympic Torch
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

Para Athlete Uses Exoskeleton Suit to Carry the Olympic Torch

In July, a 36-year-old French tennis para athlete, Kevin Piette, got a chance to participate in this summer’s Olympic torch relay without using a wheelchair.

time-read
1 min  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
Ancient Egyptians May Have Used a Water System to Lift Stones to Build Pyramid
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

Ancient Egyptians May Have Used a Water System to Lift Stones to Build Pyramid

HOW ANCIENT EGYPTIANS BUILT THE MASSIVE PYRAMIDS IN EGYPT MORE THAN 4,000 YEARS AGO HAS LONG BEEN A TOPIC OF WONDER AND DEBATE.

time-read
1 min  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
Seals Can Make Big Dives Thanks to Their Big Hearts
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

Seals Can Make Big Dives Thanks to Their Big Hearts

SEALS AND SEA LIONS, WHICH ARE SEMI-AQUATIC MAMMALS, CAN HOLD THEIR BREATHS UNDERWATER FOR ESPECIALLY LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

time-read
1 min  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
THE BIG-CITY LIFE OF STEVEN J.BIKE SHOP RABBIT IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

THE BIG-CITY LIFE OF STEVEN J.BIKE SHOP RABBIT IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Bicycle Roots is a full-service bike shop. It's in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Joe Lawler is the co-owner and service manager. Perhaps more important, he's \"dad\" to the shop's most popular employee. That's Steven J. Lawler.

time-read
1 min  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
Wild Ones
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

Wild Ones

WHAT FACTORS DRIVE PEOPLE TO BUY MONKEYS, TIGERS, AND OTHER WILD ANIMALS?

time-read
3 minutos  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
HOW TO CONQUER THE WORLD
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

HOW TO CONQUER THE WORLD

A brief history

time-read
4 minutos  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
What would happen if meteors hit Earth?
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

What would happen if meteors hit Earth?

You may have seen Ameteors fly into Earth's atmosphere, in the form of shooting stars.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
WORKING WORMS
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

WORKING WORMS

DON'T JUST THROW THOSE TABLE SCRAPS AWAY! LET A BOX OF WORMS TURN THEM INTO SOMETHING USEFUL.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind
Dog Rescue Saves Lives
Muse Science Magazine for Kids

Dog Rescue Saves Lives

THE ARGUMENT FOR ADOPTING A NO-KILL GOAL

time-read
4 minutos  |
Muse November-December 2024: Pets on the Mind