Archaeologists have discovered a “gate” to the underworld under the ruins of the ancient city of Mitla

Scientists have discovered a mysterious underground temple ruin that contains a door that is believed to be the gateway to the underworld. An international group of archaeologists conducted research on the territory of the ancient city of Mitla, located in modern Mexico and belonging to the Zapotecs – an Indian culture before colonization. The news about this discovery was published in the publication Ars Technica.

The scientists used a variety of technologies, including ground penetrating radar, electrical tomography, and seismic noise tomography, to scan the area. These methods make it possible to analyze the properties of soils and materials that reflect electromagnetic and seismic waves and to detect underground cavities and objects buried in the ground.

The city of Mitla contains five distinct groups of buildings, including the North Group, also known as the Church. The northern group consists of rectangular buildings with rectangular courtyards. Scientists have suggested that these structures may be related to the search for an underground temple described by a priest named Francisco de Burgoa in 1674. His records speak of a gigantic temple with four halls, the last of which contained a stone door leading to a deep cave.

According to ancient Zapotec beliefs, this door served as the entrance to Liobaa, or the afterlife – a resting place for great lords and leaders who fell in battle. After the arrival of Spanish soldiers and Christian missionaries, the door was sealed and the temple was destroyed. On the site of the ruins is now the church of San Pablo, built directly on part of the remains of the temple.

After receiving the scan results, the scientists combined the data to create a 3D model of the area. GPR and electrical tomography confirmed the presence of a large empty space under the main altar of the church of San Pablo, which appears to be connected to another void to the north of the church. Two passages were also discovered leading into the main empty space from the east, five to eight meters deep. The archeological team was also able to determine the possible location of the blocked entrance.