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Archaeology

Night-Vision Dogs and Underwater Pyramids: Bad-Ass Archaeologists Discover Portal to Maya Underworld

August 24, 2008 at 12:42 PM | 0 Comments

Even though real archaeology isn't remotely like the way it's portrayed in the movies, it still sounds like a pretty cool way to make a living. What adventure-loving soul wouldn't have enjoyed working alongside Guillermo de Anda as he found fourteen caves filled with temples and pyramids in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula? National Geographic (of course) brings us the news of de Anda's recent discovery, which reveals much about what the Mayan people believed about death and the afterlife.

The underground complex is located in the village of Tahtzibichen, and it seems to represent the journey that Mayans believed the deceased had to take in order to reach the underworld of Xibalba. The extensive labyrinth includes a 90-meter road that leads to a column standing in front of water, as well as vessels, earthenware, ceramics, and human remains. Parts of the complex were actually built underwater, necessitating early Mayans to hold their breath to create underwater pyramids brick-by-brick, and people like de Anda to don scuba gear in one of the coolest parts of their jobs.

As thrilling (and movie-worthy) as this discovery is, the legend might be even better. Maya lore states that "the souls of the dead had to follow a dog with night vision on a horrific and watery path and endure myriad challenges before they could rest in the afterlife." Better still, the journey involved "oozing blood, bats, and spiders." Man, you really earned your afterlife back in those days.

[Photo: National Geographic]

Related Stories:
· Portal to Maya Underworld Found in Mexico? [National Geographic]
· Archaeology Coverage [Jaunted]