Daring scuba diver captures breathtaking labyrinth of underwater caves worshipped by the Mayans beneath a Mexican riviera
- Martin Broen, 50, braved depths below the Riviera Maya in Mexico to capture the 'magical' cave system
- He explored the world's longest network of caves which were formed during the ice age millions of years ago
- He swims in huge yawning chasms and squeezes between stalactites jutting from a low rock ceiling
- The 'sacred wells' were celebrated by the Mayans and sometimes used as a place for human sacrificeA daring scuba diver plunged into a Mexican river to take breathtaking photographs of a labyrinth of underwater caves worshiped by the Mayans.
Martin Broen, 50, braved the depths below the Riviera Maya in Mexico to capture the 'magical' cave system formed during the ice age millions of years ago.
His exploration through the world's longest network of caves saw the diver swim in huge yawning chasms and squeeze between stalactites jutting from a low rock ceiling. Mr Broen, from New York, took the photos while exploring 60 different cave systems between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Bones and fossils of humans and extinct animals like mammoths can be found on the floor of some of the cenotes - natural pits where the caves are entered.
The 'sacred wells' were celebrated by the Mayans and sometimes used as a place for human sacrifice.
A daring scuba diver plunged into a Mexican river to take breathtaking photographs of a labyrinth of underwater caves (pictured)worshiped by the Mayans
Martin Broen, 50, braved the depths below the Riviera Maya in Mexico to capture the 'magical' cave system (pictured) formed during the ice age millions of years ago
His exploration through the world's longest network of caves saw the diver (pictured) swim in huge yawning chasms and squeeze between stalactites jutting from a low rock ceiling
Mr Broen (pictured), from New York, took the photos while exploring 60 different cave systems between Playa del Carmen and Tulum
The caves are bathed in blue light from Mr Broen's torch as he explores the underwater system along the Riviera Maya in Mexico
Mr Broen said: 'For many years I been trying to capture the beauty of the cenotes and underwater cave systems.
'They can offer divers a unique set of surreal experiences which are closer to space exploration or traveling back in time.'
The natural swimming holes were formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, leaving a secret world of groundwater pools.
In one picture, a beam of sunlight penetrates the sinkhole and floods the cave, creating an extraordinary effect.
But as Mr Broen dives deeper in his exploration, he relies on his torchlight to bathe the otherwise pitch black cave in bright blue light.
And in some areas, the water has a green tinge, likely due to the weed on the walls.
Bones and fossils of humans and extinct animals like mammoths can be found on the floor of some of the cenotes (one pictured) - natural pits where the caves are entered
The 'sacred wells' (one pictured) were celebrated by the Mayans and sometimes used as a place for human sacrifice
The diver added: 'The caves took millions of years to form during the ice ages when they were dry.
'They then got preserved in time when the sea level rose and the caves got flooded.
'It preserved incredible formations as well as fossils of the first humans of the region - and megafauna which are extinct.
'The water in the caves gets filtered through the rocks and therefore is crystal clear, so gives a complete feeling of flying inside those alien like spaces, closer to exploring a different planet.'
The product designer and innovation manager said the science and history behind the untouched caves is what makes them so fascinating.
Mr Broen (pictured in the cave system) said: 'For many years I been trying to capture the beauty of the cenotes and underwater cave systems'
He said the caves (one pictured) 'can offer divers a unique set of surreal experiences which are closer to space exploration or traveling back in time'
The natural swimming holes (one pictured) were formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, leaving a secret world of groundwater pools
As Mr Broen (pictured holding his torch) dives deeper in his exploration, he relies on his torchlight to bathe the otherwise pitch black cave in bright blue light
In one picture, a beam of sunlight penetrates the sinkhole and floods the cave, creating an extraordinary effect (pictured)
The diver (pictured in one of the caves) added: 'The caves took millions of years to form during the ice ages when they were dry'
The product designer and innovation manager said the science and history behind the untouched caves (pictured) is what makes them so fascinating
He added: 'The light of the sun at the entrance - or the one from your lights deep inside the cave - may get modified by tannic acid that accumulates from the rainfall producing strange green and red like tones.
'There are truly unique and magical environments which are just below our feet. They are little known and not as appreciated.'
Mr Broen describes the problems that come with trying to photograph such a difficult underground environment.
He said: 'There is no light besides the one you bring with you, so you are pushing the sensor and optical limits of your camera at every shoot.
'[You are also] shooting at very low speed while holding your breath, while maintaining your buoyancy and being sure you don't damage any formations.
'And you are doing that while in control of your scuba gear as you may be minutes or even hours away from the closest exits to surface.'
As Mr Broen dives deeper in his exploration, he relies on his torchlight to bathe the otherwise pitch black cave in bright blue light (pictured)
Mr Broen added: 'There is no light besides the one you bring with you, so you are pushing the sensor and optical limits of your camera at every shoot'
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