1,400-year-old tomb featuring giant owl sculpture discovered in Mexico
7 days ago
- #Zapotec Culture
- #Ancient Tombs
- #Archaeology
- Archaeologists discovered a 1,400-year-old Zapotec tomb in southern Mexico, hailed as the most significant archaeological find of the last decade.
- The tomb, located in San Pablo Huitzo, Oaxaca, dates back to around 600 AD and features intricate carvings and murals.
- Key findings include a sculpture of an owl with a man's head in its beak, possibly representing the buried individual.
- Multicolored murals depict symbols of power and death, along with a procession of people carrying copal resin.
- Two human figures carved at the tomb's entrance may have served as guardians.
- The discovery provides insights into Zapotec culture, including social organization, funerary rituals, and belief systems.
- A multidisciplinary team is working to preserve the fragile murals, affected by tree roots, insects, and environmental changes.
- Mexican officials, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, emphasized the tomb's exceptional preservation and historical significance.