World's largest freshwater caves full of Mayan artifacts

World's largest flooded cave system was recently discovered by Mexican scientists. 

They extend for 347 km under the water and houses various types of artifacts. 

The caves are a major archaeological discovery that gives insight into the Mayan Civilization.

Underwater archaeologist Guillermo de Anda has been exploring the underwater caves on the Caribbean coastline of Yucatan Peninsula for decades.

The region boasts of around 360 freshwater flooded caves that stretch for over 870 miles. 

According to the explorer, "This discovery has more than a hundred archaeological contexts, among which are evidence of the first settlers of America, as well as extinct fauna and the Maya culture. "

The search that led to the discovery of the caves was 10 month long and proved that two cave systems- the Sac Actun System and the Dos Ojos caves are actually linked together and form the biggest cave systems in the world. 

 Researchers are speculating that the two cave mazes, forming the largest underwater cave systems, might be connected to a third possible cave system.

The caves are full of invaluable scientific loot with Mayan artifacts including ceramics and extinct fauna.

Researchers have called the caves a "tunnel of the time that transports you to a place 10,000 to 12,000 years ago."