The undisclosed wealth of an ancient ice mine has finally been revealed after researchers discovered it hidden away for 12,000 years in an underwater cave. Researchers from the archaeometry laboratory at the University of Missouri Research Centre (ALUMR) discovered ancient Mexican peoples risked their lives to extract precious resources from the mine. The caves had been mined between 12,000 to 10,000 years ago, but the caves flooded at the end of the ice age. But, the still water in the caves has preserved the mining camps and even the remains of their fires. Researchers believe they have finally identified the mysterious reason that one of the most powerful cities in the Mayan civilization was abandoned by its residents.