Tomb raider: Scuba diver captures breathtaking images of an ancient Mayan burial site after plunging into a sinkhole in the Mexican jungle 

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This daring diver has plunged to the deepest depths to capture these stunning snaps of an ancient Mayan sinkhole. 

The deep crater, in the heart of the Mayan forest in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is believed to be the site of an ancient Mayan burial ground - the eerie cavern is filled with bones and fossils.

The spectacular pictures were taken by French wildlife and underwater photographer Fabrice Guerin, during a trip to find out more about the fascinating sinkhole.

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Eerie surroundings: The diver swims around the spectacular sinkhole, which is believed to be the site of an ancient Mayan burial ground 

The cenote sinkhole in Chetumal is located in the heart of the Mayan forest in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The eerie cavern is filled with bones and fossils. The spectacular pictures were taken by French wildlife and underwater photographer Fabrice Guerin

Guerin said that the beauty and exuberance of these underwater landscapes made him feel like he had discovered another world

Guerin said: 'When you dive here, you become an adventurer and an archaeologist. Behind each rock, you discover a new scene.

'The atmosphere is unforgettable - to dive in the sulphur cloud, to be in a huge underwater cathedral with giant stalactites and stalagmites, to encounter an American crocodile when you leave a cave, to see Mayan skeletons and beautiful fossils - it's incredible.

'I wanted to share this amazing experience of such a unique, magical site.

'There is lots of natural lighting and the water is crystal clear, making for amazing pictures.

'The mysticism, beauty and exuberance of these underwater landscapes makes me feel like I discovered another world.'

The talented photographer had undertaken the exploration to discover more about the fascinating sinkhole and what lay inside it

Cenotes are naturally formed pits or sinkholes made of limestone and some were used as a source of fresh water for Mayans with their entire towns built around them.

They are commonly found in low latitude regions, including coastlines, islands and areas young post-Paleozoic limestones that have little soil development. 

There are an estimated 6,000 cenotes (naturally formed sinkholes) in Mexico, but less than half have been explored. 

The sinkhole is illuminated by the natural light that streams in through its opening, which makes for some breath-taking photographs

Cenotes are naturally formed pits or sinkholes made of limestone and some were used as a source of fresh water for Mayans with their entire towns built around them 

There are an estimated 6,000 cenotes (naturally formed sinkholes) in Mexico, but less than half have been explored

The photographer Fabrice Guerin (right) used a torch to fully explore the rocky formations that lie on the bottom of the sinkhole floor (left)