Aztec ruins found in Mexico City

[Judi Lynn]

Aztec ruins found in Mexico City
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
August 4, 2007


Archeologists have discovered what they think are the ruins of an Aztec pyramid razed by Spanish conquerors in what is now one of Mexico City's most crime-ridden districts.

Construction workers unearthed ancient walls in the busy Iztapalapa neighborhood in June, and government archeologists said Wednesday they believe they may be part of the main pyramid of the Aztec city, destroyed by conquistador Hernan Cortes in the 16th century.

Using ground-penetrating radar, scientists have detected underground chambers they believe contain the remains of an emperor.

An Aztec ruler's tomb has never been found, in part because the Spanish conquerors built their own city atop the Aztecs' ceremonial center, leaving behind colonial structures too historically valuable to remove for excavations.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-briefs4.5aug04,1,7909435.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

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AP Exclusive: Aztec Leader's Tomb Found
AP Exclusive: Archaeologists Locate What They Believe Are Funeral Chambers of Aztec Emperor



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 radar, have detected directly below the monolith, underground chambers they believe contain the remains of Emperor Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztecs when Columbus landed in the New World. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

By MARK STEVENSON Associated Press Writer
MEXICO CITY Aug 4, 2007 (AP)

Share He was emperor at the apogee of the Aztec civilization, the last to complete his rule before the Spanish Conquest. But Ahuizotl's tomb has never been found. No Aztec ruler's funeral chamber ever has. But Mexican archaeologists believe that has finally changed.

Using ground-penetrating radar, they have detected underground chambers that could contain the remains of Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztecs when Columbus landed in the New World.

The find could provide an extraordinary window into Aztec civilization at its peak. Ahuizotl (ah-WEE-zoh-tuhl), was an empire-builder who extended the Aztecs' reach as far as Guatemala.
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Archaeologists told The Associated Press that they have located what appears to be a six-foot-by-six-foot entryway into the tomb about 15 feet below ground. The passage is filled with water, rocks and mud, forcing workers to dig delicately while suspended from slings. Pumps work to keep the water level down.

More:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3444893