Has The Mysterious Ancient Underground Labyrinth Of Mitla Finally Been Found?

[Judi Lynn]

AncientPages.com | August 14, 2023 |

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - The Zapotec civilization was by no means primitive. On the contrary, when investigating archaeological sites in the Valley of Oaxaca in Mesoamerica, scientists found evidence the history of the Zapotec civilization goes at least 2,500 years, if not more.

Monte Albán (in Spanish: White Mountain) was the first capital of the Zapotecs, the 'city of temples' - the second-largest ceremonial center in Mexico after Teotihuacan. Without modern machines, these Mesoamerican people managed to lift and transport gigantic slabs weighing tens of tons. The Zapotec people were skilled builders interested in astronomy and mathematics.



Archaeologists are confident they have found the legendary ancient underground labyrinth. Credit: INAH

Unsurprisingly, the Zapotec worshiped, like all other ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, a number of gods with whom the people shared a special relationship. Among these deities were the gods of death and the underground world. Xonaxi Quecuya and her husband Coqui Bexelao were worshipped in all the Zapotec towns in the Valley of Oaxaca. Also called Coquechila and Xonaxi Huilia, these two deities were linked to Mitla, "the place of rest, of death or the underworld. It seems logical to assume the gods rule the underworld Mitla. 1

Interestingly, when in 1641, the priest Francisco de Burgoa visited Mitla, which today is recognized as the second-most important archeological site in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, he discovered a curious ancient underground site. In his publication, Francisco de Burgoa described a vast underground temple with four interconnected chambers, the last of which featured a stone door leading into a deep cavern. The Zapotec believed this to be the entrance to the underworld known as Lyobaa ("place of rest" ). Burgoa wrote that the "Spanish missionaries who explored the ruins sealed all entrances to the temple, and local lore has long held that the entrance lies under the main altar of a Catholic church built over the ruins.

More:
https://www.ancientpages.com/2023/08/14/ancient-underground-labyrinth-of-mitla/

[marble falls]

1. The size of the pile of what we don't know that could have been known is huge.

[PatrickforB]

2. Another really excellent post, Judi.

One of the things that is really changing archaeology in a good way is LIDAR and other technology so they don't have to intrude on some of these places.

Still...it would be interesting to go down into the cavern to the entrance to the underworld. Who is to say there isn't one? And again, who is to say how they moved those giant stone blocks? It is a mystery, like so many on this earth.

[NBachers]

3. Thanks, Judi! I know you'll keep us informed of further developments and explorations at Mitia.

[Bayard]

4. Wonderful discovery!

The Zapotec are still making gorgeous weavings and rugs. I have a couple that I cherish.