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First Tomb of Aztec Ruler Found

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2007 6:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mexican archaeologists believe their ground-penetrating radar has detected the first tomb of an Aztec ruler ever found, the AP reports. Workers in Mexico City, hanging from slings and digging delicately in a muddy underground passage, hope to uncover the remains of Emperor Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztec empire at its height before the Spanish invasion of 1521.

What makes the dig difficult is that the tomb is filled with water and mud, but the pH-neutral water may have also helped preserve the tomb’s contents with a constant temperature. Archaeologists deduce that the chambers belong to Emperor Ahuizotl because of a monolith directly overhead that includes a rabbit and 10 dots, indicating the date “10 Rabbit,” or 1502, the year Ahuizot died.

A stone monolith carved with a representation of Tlaltechutli, the Aztec god of the earth, is seen in Mexico City, in this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, file photo. Mexican archaeologists, using ground-penetrating... (Associated Press)

FILE ** A stone monolith carved with a representation of Tlaltecuhtli, the Aztec god of the earth, is seen in Mexico City, in this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, file photo. Mexican archaeologists, using ground-penetrating... (Associated Press)

A stone monolith carved with a representation of Tlaltecuhtli, the Aztec god of the earth, is seen in Mexico City, in this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, file photo. Mexican archaeologists, using ground-penetrating... (Associated Press)

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archaeology • Mexico City • Mexico • tomb • Aztec • Emperor Ahuizotl

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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'Water Monster' About to Die Off

Mexican salamander suffers in polluted canals and lagoons

Expert Tunes Into Aztec 'Death Whistles'

Sounds from pre-Columbian ceremonies brought back to life

Pyramid Unearthed in Mexico City

Newfound Aztec ruins predate known sites by at least a century

Ancient Singer Found in Egypt Tomb

Mummy was temple singer nearly 3K years ago

Team Digs Up Mexican Pyramid's First Offerings

Ornate stone mask, pots, and bones found at temple's base

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Newser By Users

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