Naia and Hoyo Negro
Naia is the skeleton of a teenage girl found in 2007 in Hoyo Negro, a flooded pit inside the Sac Actun cave system near Tulum. She lived about 12,000 to 13,000 years ago, making her one of the oldest and most complete human skeletons in the Americas.
The discovery
Cave divers exploring Sac Actun found a huge dark chamber they named Hoyo Negro (black hole). On its floor lay the bones of a young woman along with extinct animals like a giant ground sloth and a sabre-toothed cat.
Why the cave was dry
During the last ice age the sea was much lower, so the caves were dry. Naia likely fell into the pit while searching for water. Rising seas later flooded the cave and preserved her bones.
Why she matters
Her DNA, published in 2014, links early Americans with today's Native Americans, helping explain why the oldest skulls look different from later peoples.
Can you visit?
No. Hoyo Negro is a protected research site reachable only by expert cave divers with permission.
What her DNA showed
Her mitochondrial DNA belongs to haplogroup D1, a lineage found in living Native Americans. This showed that early Paleoamericans with different-looking skulls and today's Native Americans share the same Beringian ancestry.
Quick facts
- Found: 2007 by cave divers Alberto Nava, Alex Álvarez and Franco Attolini (reported).
- Place: Hoyo Negro, a flooded bell-shaped pit about 55 m deep in the Sac Actun system near Tulum.
- Age: about 12,000 to 13,000 years old.
- Who: a girl around 15–16 years old (reported).
- Research: led by Mexico's INAH with international teams, including UC San Diego.
Animals found with her
- Giant ground sloth.
- Gomphothere, an elephant relative.
- Sabre-toothed cat.
- Short-faced bear.
- Tapir, puma and others (reported).
How scientists dated her
Her tooth enamel was dated by radiocarbon and mineral crusts that formed on her bones underwater were dated by uranium-thorium. Together they gave an age of roughly 12,000 to 13,000 years (reported, 2014 study in Science).
Why her skull matters
The oldest American skulls look different from later Native Americans, which led some to suggest a separate migration. Naia had the older skull shape but Native American DNA, which shows the difference came from change over time, not a different population.
Threats and protection
After the discovery, some bones were reportedly moved or taken by unauthorised divers, so the site was locked down. The skull was later raised for study. Hoyo Negro stays closed to all but research teams.
Experience the story
- Swim or snorkel in Sac Actun cenotes open to visitors, like Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos areas.
- See the Ice Age fossils in cenotes guide.
- The Museo Maya de Cancún covers early people of the region (reported).
New to cenotes? Start with our main guide: what is a cenote. Ready to visit? See the best cenotes in Tulum. Want to swim near the ruins? See the cenotes near Chichén Itzá, including Cenote Ik Kil.
Naia skeleton: frequently asked questions
How old is Naia?
About 12,000 to 13,000 years old.
Where is Hoyo Negro?
Inside the Sac Actun underwater cave system in Quintana Roo, near Tulum.
Was Naia Maya?
No. She lived thousands of years before the Maya civilization.
Is Naia related to Native Americans?
Yes. Her DNA belongs to a lineage (D1) still found in Native American populations today.
How old is Naia?
About 12,000 to 13,000 years old.
How deep is Hoyo Negro?
About 55 m below the surface.