Ancient tunnel under Teotihuacan may lead to Royal tombs

[Ichingcarpenter]

Last edited Thu Oct 30, 2014, 06:42 AM - Edit history (1)

(Reuters) - A sacred tunnel discovered in the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan is filled with thousands of ritual objects and may lead to royal tombs, the lead Mexican archaeologist on the project said on Wednesday.

The entrance to the 1,800-year-old tunnel was first discovered in 2003, and its contents came to light thanks to excavations by remote-control robots and then human researchers, archeologist Sergio Gomez told reporters.

The site is located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Mexico City. The ruins have long been shrouded in mystery because its inhabitants did not leave behind written records.

The artifacts found inside the tunnel, located below the Temple of the Plumed Serpent, include finely carved stone sculptures, jewelry and shells.

An estimated 50,000 objects, 4,000 made of wood as well as scores of obsidian blades and arrow heads, provide clues into how the city's priests and rulers conceived the underworld.

"Due to the magnitude of the offerings that we've found, it can't be in any other place," said Gomez, who works for Mexico's national anthropology and history institute, referring to the possibility of finding royal tombs.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/29/us-mexico-archaeology-discovery-idUKKBN0II28Y20141029

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Feathered_Serpent,_Teotihuacan






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http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-archaeology/hundreds-mysterious-spheres-discovered-beneath-temple-mexico-00400

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[Judi Lynn]

1. Breath-taking discovery. So important. They had to be beside themselves with amazement.

You just don't hear about events like this usually. Completely, wildly rare.

Thank you so much for fleshing out the discovery with more information.

Will be coming back to this thread to soak it all up.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Mexico archaeologists reach end of Teotihuacan tunnel sealed 2,000 years ago, find offering and thre

Mexico archaeologists reach end of Teotihuacan tunnel sealed 2,000 years ago, find offering and three chambers beyond
E. Eduardo Castillo, Associated Press | October 30, 2014 12:40 PM ET
More from Associated Press



Unlike at other pre-Columbian ruins in Mexico, archaeologists have never found any remains believed to belong to Teotihuacan’s rulers. Such a discovery could help shine light on the leadership structure of the city, including whether rule was hereditary.

“We have not lost hope of finding that, and if they are there, they must be from someone very, very important,” Gomez said.

So far Gomez’s team has excavated only about 2 feet (60 centimetres) into the chambers. A full exploration will take at least another year.

Initial studies by the National Institute of Anthropology and History show the tunnel functioned until around A.D. 250, when it was closed off.

Teotihuacan long dominated central Mexico and had its apex between 100 B.C. and A.D. 750. It is believed to have been home to more than 100,000 people, but was abandoned before the rise of the Aztecs in the 14th century.

Today it is an important archaeological site on the outskirts of Mexico City and a major tourist draw known for its broad avenues and massive pyramids.

More:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/10/30/mexico-archaeologists-reach-end-of-teotihuacan-tunnel-sealed-2000-years-ago-find-offering-and-three-chambers-beyond/