<div><strong>ENGLISH</strong> [<strong><em>Ver abajo para Español</em></strong> ]
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<div>➡️ Watch the project presentation video <a href="https://youtu.be/yl3ovK5Q1tY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.
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<div>In <strong>2021</strong>, the <strong>ARX Project</strong> carried out the first of two seasons of geophysical research at the <strong>archaeological site of Mitla, Oaxaca</strong>, in order to corroborate the possible existence of underground chambers and tunnels beneath the site. Using the <strong>most advanced geophysical methods</strong> (including Ground Penetrating Radar – GPR, Electrical Resistivity Tomography – ERT, and Seismic Noise Tomography), the project—conducted in collaboration with the Geophysics Department of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and with authorization from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)—confirmed the existence of an extensive network of tunnels, caves, and underground chambers considered by the ancient Zapotecs to be an entrance to the Underworld, or Lyobaa.
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<div>These results were confirmed in a <strong>second research season in 2023</strong>, which showed that these tunnels form a true <strong>underground labyrinth beneath the archaeological site</strong>.
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<div>Read the full report of the first and second research seasons:
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<li><a href="https://www.arxproject.org/projectlyobaa2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">First Season 2022</a>
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<li><a href="https://www.arxproject.org/projectlyobaa2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Second Season 2023</a>
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<li>Watch the documentary <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfFJAEnvUw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>
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<div>According to colonial-era accounts, these tunnels would contain the <strong>tombs of Zapotec kings and high priests</strong>, as well as connect to a vast cavern that extends more than 25 leagues underground.
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<div>In 2023, the discovery of this tunnel network beneath the archaeological zone of Mitla was celebrated as one of the 20 most important archaeological findings of the year, receiving <strong>extensive coverage in both national and international media</strong>.
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<div>In August 2025, the same team of archaeologists and scientists from INAH and UNAM will be applying the same geophysical methodologies to study the subsoil of another major Zapotec center in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca: <strong>Teotitlán del Valle</strong>.
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<div>Located less than <strong>10 kilometers from Mitla</strong>, at the heart of a corridor of very ancient sites, Teotitlán del Valle is famous worldwide for its high quality art of textiles, the traditional craft of most of the local families. Their colorful carpets draw inspiration from the many step-fret patterns found on prehispanic <strong>carved stone blocks</strong> reused in the walls of the local church, along with several <strong>megalithic stelas</strong> that can be seen in the community museum. These intriguing monuments are the <strong>remains of a palace and a temple complex </strong>known to have been the core of the prehispanic Teotitlán.
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<div>Contrary, to Mitla where several palaces are still standing, the ancient site of <strong>Teotitlán remains mostly invisible and unknown</strong>, <strong>buried beneath the colonial and modern town.</strong>
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<div>Our work will focus on <strong>mapping the center of the ancient town with the use of non-invasive geophysical methods</strong>, to reveal potential hidden structures and tombs, as well as other important natural or geological features.
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<div>This is a unique opportunity to reveal more about the origins of one of the oldest and most fascinating sites of Oaxaca, which bears similarities with both Monte Albán and Mitla, and might hold <strong>new insights on the origin and development of Zapotec civilization</strong>.
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<div>The site's present name comes from the nahuatl, meaning <strong>“Place of the God"</strong>, seemingly referring to a solar deity, while its Zapotec name, Xiguie, means "At the foot of the mountain range", hinting at its strategic location along an important ancient trade route towards the mountainous Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca.
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<div>This new season of geophysical research, just like the previous ones carried out in Mitla, would not be possible without the contributions of the <strong>hundreds of people and institutions that have supported us with their donations</strong>—thus overcoming the lack of resources and public funding, and allowing the research to move forward. Thanks to these donations, we have not only been able to carry out two seasons of geophysical investigation—completely <strong>covering the project costs</strong>—but also <strong>ensure the dissemination of research results through academic publications, articles, documentaries, and social media</strong>.
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<div><strong><em>Help us unveil the mysteries of the Zapotec underworld! Donate now so the research can continue!</em></strong>
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<div>ESPAÑOL
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<div>➡️ Ve el <strong>video de presentación del proyecto </strong><a href="https://youtu.be/yl3ovK5Q1tY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>aquí</strong></a>
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<div>En <strong>2021</strong>, la Asociación Proyecto ARX realizó la primera de dos temporadas de investigación geofísica en la <strong>zona arqueológica de Mitla, Oaxaca</strong>, con el fin de corroborar la existencia de posible cuartos subterráneos y túneles debajo de la zona arqueológica. A través del uso de los <strong>más avanzados métodos geofísicos </strong>(<em>entre ellos, Radar de Penetración Terrestre - GPR, Tomografía de Resistividad Eléctrica - ERT y Tomografía de Ruido Sísmico</em>), el proyecto realizado en colaboración con el departamento de Geofísica de la UNAM y con la autorización del Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), confirmó la existencia de una extensa red de túneles, cuevas y cuartos subterráneos considerados por los antiguos Zapotecos como una <strong>entrada al Inframundo, o Lyobaa</strong>.
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<div>Estos resultados fueron confirmados en una <strong>segunda temporada de investigación</strong> en <strong>2023</strong>, la cual evidenció como estos túneles forman un verdadero<strong> laberinto subterráneo</strong> debajo de la zona arqueológica.
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<div>Lee el reporte completo de la primera y segunda temporada de investigación:
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<li><a href="https://www.arxproject.org/projectlyobaa2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Primera temporada 2022</a>
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<li><a href="https://www.arxproject.org/projectlyobaa2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Segunda temporada 2023</a>
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<li>Video documental - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfFJAEnvUw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Youtube ENG/ESP</a>
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<div>Según los relatos de la época colonial, estos túneles contendrían las <strong>tumbas de los reyes y sumos sacerdotes zapotecos</strong>, además de conectar con una gran caverna que se extendería por más de 25 leguas bajo tierra.
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<div>En 2023, el descubrimiento de una red de túneles debajo de la zona arqueológica de Mitla fue celebrado como uno de los 20 más importantes hallazgos arqueológicos del año, recibiendo <strong>extensa cobertura en la prensa nacional e internacional</strong>.
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<div>En agosto de 2025, el mismo equipo de arqueólogos y científicos del INAH y de la UNAM estará aplicando las mismas metodologías geofísicas para el estudio del subsuelo de otro importante centro zapoteco en los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca: <strong>Teotitlán del Valle</strong>.
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<div>Ubicado a <strong>menos de 10 kilómetros de Mitla</strong>, en el corazón de un corredor de sitios muy antiguos, Teotitlán del Valle es famoso a nivel mundial por su arte textil de alta calidad, el oficio tradicional de la mayoría de las familias locales. Sus coloridas alfombras se inspiran en los numerosos diseños de grecas escalonadas que se encuentran en los <strong>bloques de piedra tallada prehispánicos</strong> reutilizados en los muros de la iglesia local, junto con varias <strong>estelas megalíticas</strong> que pueden verse en el museo comunitario. Estos monumentos intrigantes son los <strong>restos de un palacio y un complejo ceremonial que se sabe fue el núcleo del Teotitlán prehispánico</strong>.
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<div>A diferencia de Mitla, donde aún se conservan varios palacios, <strong>el sitio antiguo de Teotitlán permanece en su mayoría invisible y desconocido, sepultado bajo la ciudad colonial y moderna</strong>.
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<div>Nuestro trabajo se enfocará en mapear el centro del antiguo asentamiento utilizando métodos geofísicos no invasivos, con el fin de <strong>revelar posibles estructuras y tumbas ocultas</strong>, así como otras características naturales o geológicas importantes.
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<div>Se trata de una oportunidad única para <strong>descubrir más sobre los orígenes de uno de los sitios más antiguos y fascinantes de Oaxaca</strong>, que guarda similitudes tanto con Monte Albán como con Mitla, y que podría ofrecer nuevas perspectivas sobre el origen y desarrollo de la civilización zapoteca.
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<div>El nombre actual del sitio proviene del náhuatl y significa “<strong>Lugar de Dios</strong>”, aparentemente en referencia a una deidad solar, mientras que su nombre zapoteco, Xiguie, significa “Al pie de la sierra”, lo que alude a su ubicación estratégica a lo largo de una importante ruta comercial antigua hacia la región montañosa de la Sierra Norte de Oaxaca.
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<div>Esta nueva temporada de investigación geofísica, igual que las anteriores ya realizadas en Mitla, no sería posible sin el contributo de las <strong>cienes de personas e instituciones que nos han apoyado con sus donativos</strong>, obviando así a la falta de recursos y presupuestos públicos, para que la investigación pueda seguir adelante. Gracias a estos donativos, hemos podido no solo realizar ya dos temporadas de investigación geofísica, logrando <strong>cubrir en su totalidad los costos del proyecto</strong>, sino también <strong>asegurar la difusión de los resultados de la investigación</strong> a través de <strong>publicaciones académicas, artículos, documentales, y medios sociales</strong>.
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<div><strong><em>!Ayúdenos a revelar los misterios del inframundo zapoteco!</em></strong><em> </em><strong><em>!Donen ahora para que la investigación siga! </em></strong>
</div>

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