Recent archaeological investigations in Oaxaca, Mexico, have unveiled a network of chambers and tunnels beneath the city, believed to be linked to the ancient Zapotec civilization. This discovery aligns with historical references made by priest Francisco de Burgoa in 1674, who described these tunnels as the 'door to hell' and an entrance to the Zapotec underworld, although they were previously thought to be sealed.
Using non-invasive techniques, archaeologists explored five sites: the church group, arroyo group, adobe group, southern group, and column group. Marco Vigato, founder of the ARX project, noted that some tunnels extend to considerable depths, exceeding 15 meters, with the southern group reaching up to 30 meters.
Researchers suggest that the tunnels may extend further to the north, east, and south. If these tunnels correspond to the legendary burial sites, it is possible that the remains of Zapotec kings lie within. Burgoa's writings indicate that these rulers were interred 'richly dressed in their finest garments,' adorned with 'feathers, jewelry, gold necklaces, and precious stones.' He also mentioned that their bodies were accompanied by 'a shield in the left hand and a spear in the right hand, just as they used in war.'