Tunnel found under temple in Mexico

www.physorg.com ^ | May 30, 2011 | Staff

[Red Badger]

Researchers found a tunnel under the Temple of the Snake in the pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan, about 28 miles northeast of Mexico City.

The tunnel had apparently been sealed off around 1,800 years ago.

Researchers of Mexico's National University made the finding with a radar device. Closer study revealed a "representation of the underworld," in the words of archaeologist Sergio Gomez Chavez, of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Experts found "a route of symbols, whose conclusion appears to lie in the funeral chambers at the end of the tunnel."

The structure is 15 yards beneath the ground, and it runs eastwards. It is about 130 yards long.

"At the end, there are several chambers which could hold the remains of the rulers of that Mesoamerican civilization. If confirmed, it will be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 21st century on a global scale," Gomez Chavez said late Thursday.

Teotihuacan, with its huge pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, its palaces, temples, homes, workshops, markets and avenues, is the largest pre-Hispanic city in Mesoamerica. It reached its zenith in the years 300-600 AD.

[NEMDF]

I have not traveled very much and not a student of archeology or anything related, but did have the chance to see the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza in Mexico some years ago (15 or more?). And that remains as the most fascinating thing I have ever seen, very vivid memories of that day.

[Red Badger]

Since Zucchini and all other squashes are native to the New World, they may have buried their own zukes there!......................

[momtothree]

LOL! I’m glad you aren’t mad about all the teasing!!

[SoldierDad]

So, the Mexicans have been smuggling drugs and other things through underground tunnels longer than people thought!

[Buckeye McFrog]

the tunnel ends two blocks from the current site of Petco Park in San Diego, California (DA DA BUM BUM....)

[Red Badger]

I may send you some!...............

[momtothree]

OH MY GOSH!! You said you grew some big zukes but not the size of a CHILD!! There is only so much zuchini bread one person can take. (I do predict you take home first place at your county fair, though!)

[Red Badger]

That one is not mine, but mine are rather large!
Our county fair is in October...............

[PUGACHEV]

If you ever get back to the Yacatan, stop at Coba. It's near Vallodilid on the way to Chichen Itza. Unlike Chichen Itza, it is not restored and only partially explored, but it is much, much larger, with a taller pyramid peeking up over the surrounding jungle. Whereas Chichen Itza markets itself a bit like Disney World, in Coba you'll wander down jungle paths by yourself to find ruins no one has yet fully uncovered.

[NEMDF]

Sadly, doubt I will ever go to Mexico again, due to the violence and all. When I was in Chichen Itza, it was long enough ago that it was not highly “commercialized”; I suspect it has become more so since then. We went on a bus tour from Cancun, a fairly small group (50 or less?) and it was not at all crowded at the ruins. We did go to the top of El Castillo, which I don’t think is allowed any longer?

[Raycpa]

If they plan on opening it in 2012 should we be afraid or should we call Geraldo?

[Red Badger]

Both...................

[Doulos1]

Don’t bother opening the tunnel. Everyone knows that it leads to El Paso.

[SunkenCiv]

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[bigheadfred]

I wonder if it’s cursed?

I've seen people with too much zucchini cursing it in an appalling display of mindless frenzy...

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

The other end is probably in Arizona.

[colorado tanker]

I've been to Coba a couple of times. I agree it's a really cool place.

[gleeaikin]

This is really exciting. 1800 years ago as long before the Aztecs. I went there about 50 years ago. Climbed the temple of the sun, which I think is the picture shown and had been restored. Then climbed the temple of the moon, which had not been restored. From the TM, I walked down a long avenue, past the TS and many small pyramids, unresored on each side about 10 to 20 feet high. After at least 1/2 mile there was a huge elevated terrace much larger than a football field about 10 feet high. Spent several hours there wandering around, and picking and eating cactus fruit when I got thirsty.

I also traveled to Oaxaca where the Zapotec and Michtec cultures thrived. One had a complex on the top of a mountain with several restored pyramids. The other was in the valley and the temples were rectangular and flat topped, with a lot of abstract linear and zigzag ornamentation. Seemed more like things I’ve seen photos of from Yucatan which I hope to visit before I die.