when heavy rain uncovered a hole a few feet from the temple.
CNMH, INAH
Exploration of the tunnel, which was deliberately filled by debris and ruins by the Teotihuacan people, required several years of preliminary work and planning. A few months ago archaeologists found two side chambers near the entrance.
DMC, INAH/M. Marat
The walls and ceiling of both chambers were covered with a mineral powder composed of magnetite, pyrite and hematite which provided a special brightness to the place and a peculiar atmosphere for the rituals that were most likely carried there.
DMC, INAH/M. Marat
According to archaeologists, the spheres would have appeared metallic to those who placed them here.
DMC, INAH/M. Marat
To understand where and how the tunnel ended, the archaeologists used a 3-foot-long, remote-controlled robot which was able to explore the last part of the duct.
CONFIRM CREDIT BEFORE USING THIS IMAGE
Called Tlaloc II-TC, the robot uses an infrared camera and a laser scanner to generate 3D visualization of the spaces beneath the temple.
DMC, INAH/M. Marat
The chambers are displayed as they were plotted by the laser scanner.
Héctor Montaño/INAH
The archaeologists will next explore the last part of the tunnel and the three chambers seen through the robot cameras.
They believe it's possible the central chamber at the end of the tunnel contains the remains of those who ruled Teotihuacan.
DMC, INAH/M. Marat
‹
