was this guy there?
Posted on 08/15/2008 5:57:23 AM PDT by stockpirate
Archaeologists discovered maze of stone temples in underground caves MEXICO CITY - Mexican archeologists have discovered a maze of stone temples in underground caves, some submerged in water and containing human bones, which ancient Mayans believed was a portal where dead souls entered the underworld.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Archeologists say Mayans believed the underground complex of water-filled caves leading into dry chambers — including an underground road stretching some 330 feet — was the path to a mythical underworld, known as Xibalba.
According to an ancient Mayan scripture, the Popol Vuh, the route was filled with obstacles, including rivers filled with scorpions, blood and pus and houses shrouded in darkness or swarming with shrieking bats, Guillermo de Anda, one of the lead investigators at the site, said on Thursday.
The souls of the dead followed a mythical dog who could see at night, de Anda said.
Excavations over the past five months in the Yucatan caves revealed stone carvings and pottery left for the dead.
"They believed that this place was the entrance to Xibalba. That is why we have found the offerings there," de Anda said.
The Mayans built soaring pyramids and elaborate palaces in Central America and southern Mexico before mysteriously abandoning their cities around 900 A.D.
They described the torturous journey to Xibalba in the Popul Vuh sacred text, originally written in hieroglyphic script on long scrolls and later transcribed by Spanish conquerors.
"It is very likely this area was protected as a sacred depository for the dead or for the passage of their souls," said de Anda, whose team has found ceramic offerings along with bones in some temples.
Different Mayan groups who inhabited southern Mexico and northern Guatemala and Belize had their own entrances to the underworld which archeologists have discovered at other sites, almost always in cave systems buried deep in the jungle.
In the Yucatan site they have found one 1,900-year-old ceramic vase, but most of the artifacts date back to between 700 and 850 A.D.
ping
I thought it was East San Jo, esse.
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
Mayan underworld discovered! Gamers transported with joy!
“I’m lighting a torch and moving about 10’ into the room, what do I see?”
Need pics of those underground temples.
>Kill troll with sword
(Oh wait, wrong game.)
This might just be an ancient border tunnel.
>>>You have moved into the dark. You will likely be eaten by a grue.
Xibalba, the Mayan underworld was where the tree of life was reborn in the Movie “The Fountain” during the future phase. Odd trivial bits you pick up from somewhat obscure movies.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t move ten inches. I’ve got 15 skulls in my knapsack.
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Thanks Perdogg! "National Treasure 3"... |
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It was a small grue.
But as I looked, it grew some more...
Yeah, it was and it leaves you wondering what the hell it is you're watching until you read up on it. Then it makes sense. I liked it because I like movies that make me try to figure out what the heck is going on. The musical score by Clint Mansell is pretty unique too.
Live Free or Die hard was a pretty good movie also, and what you'd expect for the franchise.
Xibalba huh?
Maybe we can funnel all the illegals down there.
Zork was the best.
was this guy there?
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