The cache is not at the listed coordinates.
The Maya civilization was one of the great Pre-Colombian civilizations, extending throughout the northern Central American region, including the present-day nations of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, southern Mexico and western Honduras. During the Classic period (250–900 AD) most Mayan city states reached their peak of urbanism and large-scale construction. The most notable monuments from this period are the ancient Mayan temples that were built in almost every important Maya city.
For reasons that are still unknown, most of the Maya centers went into decline during later centuries and were eventually abandoned leaving only the Mayan ruins. There are several possible reasons for their downfall including soil exhaustion, water loss and erosion. Other possibilities include catastrophes such as earthquakes, diseases and invasions by other surrounding people and cultures.
1. El Castillo is the nickname of one of the most spectacular Mayan temples that dominates this archaeological site. (A _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
2. Located in Western Honduras, this relatively small Mayan city is well known for it’s remarkable series of portrait stelae. (_ _ _ A _)
3. Sitting high on the Vaca Plateau, this is the largest Maya site in Belize. It was once one of the largest ancient Maya cities. (C _ G _ _ _ L)
4. This ancient Maya city was home to about 50,000 inhabitants at its peak. It also contains several large temple pyramids, the tallest, the Nohoch Mul pyramid is about 138’ high. (_ H B _)
5. Situated on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, it once served as the major port of the Mayan city of Coba and was built around 1200 AD when the Mayan civilization was already in decline and therefore lacks the elegance of some other famous sites. The tropical beach backdrop however makes this a unique Maya site which should not be missed. (J U _ _ _)
6. Meaning “built three times” in the Mayan language, is one of the best preserved Pre-Columbian sites in Mexico. The most recognizable and tallest structure at 115 feet is the Pyramid of the Magician. The layers of the temple pyramid are oval unlike the rectangular or square layers of other Mayan pyramids. The pyramid appears to have been built in five phases, starting from the sixth century continuing periodically through the 10th century. (_ X D _ _)
7. This is an archaeological site that was located on the western edge of the Maya empire in the present-day state of Chiapas, Mexico. it is much smaller than some of it Mayan neighbor cities, but it contains some of the finest architecture and sculptures the Maya ever produced. Most structures date from about 600 AD to 800 AD including the Temple of Inscriptions, the only Mesoamerican pyramid built as a funerary monument. (_ _ E _ _ Q _ B)
8. This Mayan site is hidden inside the jungles of the Mexican state of Campeche. It is one of the largest Mayan cities ever uncovered with over 6,500 ancient structures identified. (_ C L _ _ M _ _)
9. Located in northern Belize was once a considerably sized Maya City. The ancient ruins are not completely uncovered yet. Archaeological work has concentrated on the investigation and restoration of the larger structures such as the High Temple, a 33 meter tall temple. Since it was still occupied by the Maya when the Spanish arrived, it is one of the few Mayan sites to retain its traditional name. (_ _ F A _ _ _)
10. Situated in the lowland rainforest of northern Guatemala, This is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Mayan sites. Restored buildings are scattered around the area while many more ruined buildings are still hidden by the jungle. Between ca. 200 to 900 AD, it was the largest Mayan city with an estimated population between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants. (_ I _ A _)
While solving the puzzle, the RED letters within the puzzle are not letters for the puzzle but are the letters that coincide with the coordinates (N 47° AB.CDE W122° FG.HIJ)
(A = ? – 0) (B = ? + 2) (C = ? – 1) (D = ? – 13) (E = ? – 5) (F = ? – 13) (G = ? – 11) (H = ? – 10) (I = ? – 5) (J = ? – 16)
Remember to write down the Maya number symbols found in the log book, or on the lid, that is needed to determine the coordinates of the final cache of this series. After conversion, ten are labeled N and are each a four-digit number. Ten are labeled W and are each a three-digit number. The final cache of this series, A New Era, provides the final numbers and instructions how to add to the prior twenty to determine its coordinates.
