Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya and Aztecs, have bequeathed numerous enigmas. Recently, some of these have edged toward resolution due to surprising archaeological discoveries.
In southern Mexico, within the historic city of Mitla, where Christian temples stand alongside the remnants of pagan shrines, archaeologists have once more highlighted unusual subterranean cavities beneath the Church of San Pablo Apostol. Detected by ground-penetrating radar, these voids, reaching depths of up to 30 meters, differ from typical cellars, piquing scientific curiosity and suggesting the existence of an extensive subterranean passage network.
It was once thought that the voids beneath the church were linked to a legend left by the Zapotecs, who lived in this area starting from the 1st century B.C. The city of Mitla, between the 10th and 15th centuries, was a significant religious hub, and upon its conquest, the Spaniards dubbed it the “Indian Vatican.”
The ruins that were excavated included sacrificial sites, even for human sacrifices, and temples where the Zapotecs honored their deities, such as Kopijcha and Kokebil, the patrons of the Sun and Moon. The gods Coqui Bezelao and Xonaxie Quecuya were held in high esteem as the protectors of the underworld, according to Zapotec belief. Mitla was symbolically known as the “place of the dead” and acted as a gateway to the afterlife.
Francisco de Burgoa, a Dominican monk and historian, chronicled Mitla as a city with a hidden temple, beneath which lay extensive underground tunnels. In these tunnels, the priests conducted their most sacred ritual: the high priest would perform a sacrifice, extracting a person’s heart to offer their soul to the deities.
Burgoa also mentioned a stone door, vigilantly guarded, marking the beginning of Liobaa’s afterlife. However, following the Spanish conquest, the temple was demolished, and a church was built atop its remains to deter the locals from reverting to their ancestral ceremonies.
Recent research by archaeologist Marco Vigato’s team supports longstanding traditions: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has uncovered four chambers at a depth of about 30 meters, aligning with the dimensions described by Burgoa. However, the comprehensive examination of the subterranean sanctuary is hindered by the need for excavations, which are opposed by the city administration due to concerns over the historical integrity of the architectural complex.
The archaeologists are persisting in their efforts to more precisely investigate the subterranean corridors, believed to extend much deeper and consist of multiple levels. Vigato’s team intends to employ additional scanning equipment to prevent any disruption to the building’s structure, yet the fascination with these cavities only increases. It is possible that one of the greatest enigmas of the Zapotecs and ancient Mesoamerica will be unraveled soon, potentially verifying the age-old legends of an underworld hidden beneath the Church of San Pablo Apostle.
