Oldest Pyramid Tomb Ever Discovered in Mexico

Archaeologists in southern Mexico announced Monday they have discovered a 2,700-year-old tomb of a dignitary inside a pyramid that may be the oldest such burial documented in Mesoamerica.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/9a3fb8abdc17.jpg[/atsimg]
A woman's skeleton that was found inside a pyramid begins to appear from the earth in the town of Chiapa de Corzo, southern Mexico.

The tomb held a man aged around 50, who was buried with jade collars, pyrite and obsidian artifacts and ceramic vessels. Archaeologist Emiliano Gallaga said the tomb dates to between 500 and 700 B.C. Based on the layers in which it was found and the tomb's unusual wooden construction, "we think this is one of the earliest discoveries of the use of a pyramid as a tomb, not only as a religious site or temple," Gallaga said. Pre-Hispanic cultures built pyramids mainly as representations of the levels leading from the underworld to the sky; the highest point usually held a temple.

The tomb was found at a site built by Zoque Indians in Chiapa de Corzo, in southern Chiapas state. It may be almost 1,000 years older than the better-known pyramid tomb of the Mayan ruler Pakal at the Palenque archaeological site, also in Chiapas

The man — probably a high priest or ruler of Chiapa de Corzo, a prominent settlement at the time — was buried in a stone chamber. Marks in the wall indicate wooden roof supports were used to create the tomb, but the wood long ago collapsed under the weight of the pyramid built above.

Archeologists began digging into the pyramid mound in April to study the internal structure — pyramids were often built in layers, one atop another — when they happened on a wall whose finished stones appeared to face inward. In digging last week, they uncovered the 4- by 3-meter tomb chamber about 6 or 7 meters beneath what had been the pyramid's peak.

The body of a 1-year-old child was laid carefully over the man's body inside the tomb, while that of a 20-year-old male was tossed into the chamber with less care, perhaps sacrificed at the time of the burial. The older man was buried with jade and amber collars and bracelets and pearl ornaments. His face was covered with what may have been a funeral mask with obsidian eyes.

Source: www.foxnews.com...

Great, more tombs and pyramids. I love it. With these structures being found around the globe I can't help but think there was a greater meaning for the pyramids and thier roles in the societies the built them.

One of the greatest mysteries of our world but also a terrible tale and placemaker for so much of human history. I just can't believe they were burial chambers-at all. Not designed that way by the origianl planners anyway.

A lot more to the story. Feel free to go to the source link and read some more-if you wish.

I hope they do DNA testing! Great find... Mesoamerica /South America ancient sites are one of my favorite subjects. I want to know who the gods were that visited them and helped them learn how to live a civilized life. I have a feeling they were jews because of the way they were described. Fascinating stuff!

These pyramids have been baffling me for a couple of weeks. There seems to be so much involved in these structures and so many secrets they hold. we are getting close to figuring it out however with the Russian pyramid experiments. Very interesting stuff! TY

reply to post by BeastMaster2012



Well, to each his own. I am glad you liked the find and that you are all into it. I found another pic: [atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b8b3eff90407.jpg[/atsimg]

I just read this story and I was going to start a thread about it but then I found yours lol.
The thing that I found most interesting was the supposed link to the Olmecs. If your not sure who they were then join the club.
They left behind a lot of art and most pieces look like they belong in Egypt, China, or Africa. Not Mexico.
I posted a thread a while back with some cool pics if you want to check them out.
www.abovetopsecret.com...
I believe that there was a trans Atlantic trade route and I am beginning to think that the Olmecs may have been at the center of it.

reply to post by Quadrivium


Very nice. Thank you for putting the link up.

This area I am in the black on. Other than what I have seen on TV/History/Discovery etc. Not much in the history of the area either.

I am sure there are some wonderful secrets in those jungles.