A team of researchers from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and the ARX PROJECT has completed the first comprehensive geophysical survey of the historic centre of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, uncovering evidence of a substantial Zapotec ceremonial complex hidden beneath the modern town.
Using advanced, non-invasive technologies, the project has revealed a network of pre-Hispanic structures, including three major features concealed for centuries beneath colonial-era construction in the historic centre.
The first feature is a series of ceremonial and elite buildings arranged around a large central courtyard, similar to the famous palaces at Mitla. Scientists believe this ancient complex is actually beneath the present Church of Our Lady of Nativity.
The team has also found a large underground anomaly under the church patio that may be a monumental Zapotec tomb. Further investigation would be necessary to confirm its nature, but the discovery indicates that the area was a site for ceremonial and funeral rituals long ago.
There was also evidence of extensive colonial-era construction. The 16th and 17th century builders used huge amounts of rubble from dismantled pre-Hispanic structures to level the ground before constructing the church and its atrium, said the researchers.
Taken together, the discoveries indicate that the ancient settlement was far larger than the archaeological remains visible today.
In their report, “Exploring the Heart of Teotitlán del Valle”, the researchers noted that the findings offer more than just new archaeological data.
“These findings are not merely scientific data: they are an opportunity for the community, authorities, and specialists to work together to preserve a history that continues to live beneath our feet.”
The work is a part of the Belguie-Xiguie Project and involved electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and ambient seismic noise tomography. These non-invasive methods allowed researchers to map buried structures and geological features more than 25 metres below the surface without disturbing the site.
The project leaders stressed that protecting the town’s existing buildings and respecting the local community were central to the research. The research was carried out in partnership with Teotitlán del Valle’s Municipal Presidency, Community Museum Committee and the Catholic Temple Committee. The project was also based on previous work in Mitla during the 2022 and 2023 Project Lyobaa field seasons.
On 14 May, members of the ARX PROJECT returned to Teotitlán del Valle to present the results to local authorities and museum representatives and to discuss future research plans.
Roman Gutiérrez Ruiz, president of the Teotitlán del Valle Community Museum, welcomed the findings.
“We are deeply grateful for this project and for the support it has received. For us Zapotec people, this area that they are studying is very important. We are very interested in seeing more of our ancient roots.”
ARX PROJECT is an independent, non-profit research association that brings together specialists from a range of disciplines and countries. The organisation advocates a multidisciplinary approach to understanding ancient sites and is dedicated to advancing archaeological research and heritage preservation.
Sources : ARX PROJECT
