We ask you, urgently: don’t scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources—essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
Entrance to the Underworld Discovered Beneath Ancient Zapotec Site in Mexico
FREE Catholic Classes
In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists have uncovered an extensive underground network of tunnels beneath Mitla, a historic site in southern Mexico revered by the ancient Zapotec civilization as the "entrance to the underworld." Using advanced geophysical technology, a team from the ARX Project mapped hidden chambers and tunnels as deep as 30 meters below the Church of San Pablo Apostol, which was built atop Zapotec ruins after the Spanish razed the city in the 16th century.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Highlights
11/4/2024 (2 weeks ago)
Published in Americas
Keywords: Underworld, Mitla, Southern Mexico
The discovery aligns with historical accounts, particularly those from 17th-century priest Francisco de Burgoa, who described an ominous labyrinth beneath Mitla. According to Burgoa, Zapotec kings were buried in opulent chambers filled with gold, jewels, and intricately adorned bodies clutching weapons, each ready to guard the passage to Lyobaa, the Zapotec underworld. These tombs were said to lead to "dark and gruesome" rooms used to dispose of war victims.
Mitla, translated as "place of the dead," was a hub for Pitao Bezelao, the Zapotec god of death. The Zapotec people believed this site held powerful connections to the afterlife, and many generations revered its sacred purpose. The ARX Project's leader, Marco Vigato, explained that the tunnels discovered beneath the church could connect various Zapotec sacred sites, including ceremonial plazas and burial chambers for royalty and high priests.
Researchers used a mix of ground-penetrating radar, electric resistivity tomography, and seismic noise tomography to reveal these ancient passageways. These methods allowed them to model underground structures, confirming that the cavities beneath Mitla contain extensive architectural remnants possibly dating back thousands of years.
Although the exact age of the tunnels remains unclear, some artifacts in Mitla date as far back as 10,000 years. The ARX team aims to validate their findings with traditional archaeological methods to determine whether the site holds ancient artifacts that might provide a deeper insight into Zapotec religious practices and their concept of the underworld. The discovery of Mitla's hidden underworld is not only a testament to the Zapotec civilization's rich legacy but also a thrilling reminder that history's secrets often lie just beneath the surface.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your support makes stories like this possible!
Catholic Online is completely donor supported, allowing us to report on what truly is happening in the world, free of charge and uncensored. A donation to Catholic Online will ensure millions around the world can continue to come to our site to find the faith people are so desperately searching for in life.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- St. Gelasius: Saint of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, November 21, 2024
- Daily Readings for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- St. Edmund Rich: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Act of Adoration: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.