The ritual or ceremonial hypothesis reflects a broader pattern in the archaeology of deep caves.

The use of cave interiors — particularly sections far from daylight — for ritual or ceremonial purposes is documented in multiple cultures and time periods around the world.

The most famous examples are the painted caves of Europe, where prehistoric people carrying lamps and torches traveled deep into dark passages specifically to create art on cave walls, apparently far from any concern with the practical uses of the cave.

But the pattern is not limited to Europe: cave use for ritual purposes has been documented in Mesoamerica, in the American Southwest, and in other regions.