More than a thousand years old, the pyramid known as El Castillo towers over the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in southern Mexico.
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Archaeologists Search Ancient Pyramid for Clues to Maya Underworld
Archaeologists deploy innovative technology to discover what lies within and below ancient Maya ruins.
Chichén Itzá, MexicoAt the spring and fall equinoxes, the setting sun casts serpent-like shadows along the northern stairs of El Castillo, or “the castle.” Built more than a thousand years ago by the ancient Maya, the pyramid towers 100 feet over the ruins of Chichén Itzá, a World Heritage site and popular tourist destination on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Adventurers and archaeologists have explored the ruins for more than a century, but mysteries endure. Is there a watery labyrinth beneath the great pyramid, as local legends hint? Are there hidden chambers in the heart of the monument, as some archaeologists suspect?
Seeking clues, a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers is launching the first comprehensive investigation of Chichén Itzá in 50 years.
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