By Lee Seung-joon
Under an ancient city in Mexico, archaeologists have found a large tunnel that might lead them to long-awaited discoveries of secrets that have been sealed for more than 1,800 years.
Researchers used modern technology to find the 120-meter-long tunnel covered in symbols under Teotihuacan. They covered seven meters, including the entrance, and they believe that the tunnel could lead them to three chambers that contain the remains of Teotihuacan rulers.
The city of Teotihuacan, which means “the place where men become gods,” was abandoned by the time the Aztecs arrived. Luis Barba, a scientist of the Anthropological Research Institute of Mexico’s National Autonomous University, said that images, names or any references of Teotihuacan’s rulers have not been found for years, but the researchers are expecting positive results.
“If the rulers are confirmed, it will be one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 21st century on a global scale,” said Sergio Gomez Chavez, the director at Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Teotihuacan, 30 miles northeast of Mexico City, was thought to have been built between 100 B.C. to 250 A.D. and the city contains huge pyramids, temples, homes, workshops and markets.
Chavez and Julie Gazzola only found the long tunnel by accident when heavy rain seeped into a tiny hole in the ground in 2003. The exploration required several years of planning and financial support necessary to carry out research.
Thirty renowned experts from around the world teamed up and began to dig in 2009. The Tialoque 1, a tiny remote controlled vehicle on four wheels, was used to take the images of the ruined tunnel.
Though archaeologists explored Teotihuacan for 100 years, this is the first time that a hint of a tomb has been discovered. Gomez believes that there was a deliberate effort between 200 and 300 A.D. to pile up stones to block the entrance that leads to the chambers. At the entrance, discarded treasures were found, including 50,000 objects of jade, stone, shell and pottery, as an offering to whom, the scientists are patiently waiting to find out.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2011/11/325_99322.html
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