Mexico uses robot to explore ancient tunnel

[Judi Lynn]

The Associated Press November 11, 2010, 9:12AM ET
Mexico uses robot to explore ancient tunnel
By JORGE BARRERA

TEOTIHUACAN, Mexico

The first robotic exploration of a pre-Hispanic ruin in Mexico has revealed that a 2,000-year-old tunnel under a temple at the famed Teotihuacan ruins has a perfectly carved arch roof and appears stable enough to enter, archaeologists announced Wednesday.

Archaeologists lowered the remote-controlled, camera-equipped vehicle into the 12-foot-wide (4-meter) corridor and sent wheeling through it to see if it was safe for researchers to enter. The one-foot (30-cm) wide robot was called "Tlaloque 1" after the Aztec rain god.

The grainy footage shot by the robot was presented Wednesday by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History. It shows a narrow, open space left after the tunnel was intentionally closed off between A.D. 200 and 250 and filled with debris nearly to the roof.

Archaeologist Sergio Gomez says the footage showed the arched-roof tunnel was an example of sophisticated work by the ancient inhabitants of Teotihuacan, which is located just north of modern Mexico City.

More:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JDVJC80.htm

[bluedigger]

1. How cool is that?

Man, what I'd give to be the first guy in!

[Judi Lynn]

2. Someone just posted photos of the tiny robot in the Latin America forum:

Friday November 12, 2010
Meet Tlaloque I, Mexico’s High Tech Archeologist Exploring 2000 Year Old Tunnels in Teotihuacán0 Comments
.Published at 1:21 pm, November 12, 2010

http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com.nyud.net:8090/uploads/images/article-images/walle2.jpg

Tlaloque 1 is only 12 by 20 inches and 8 in height. It could be Pixar Wall-e’s little brother, with its 4x4 traction and 2 remote-controlled camcorders that are able to do 360 degree turns; one at the front and the other at the back. Tlaloque 1 has its own illumination source and transmits images to a computer monitor in the exterior.

In an exceptional breakthrough at the famed Teotihuacan ruins in México, this nifty gizmo has discovered a 2000 year old tunnel under an ancient temple; with a perfectly carved arch roof and intact structure, the tunnel appears stable enough to enter, archaeologists of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced Wednesday.

The first images of the interior of the tunnel found under the Feathered Serpent Temple, in Teotihuacan, were presented to the ecstatic media, since this groundbreaking investigation might very well be the first robotic exploration in Mexico, and probably in the Americas.

Studies show the tunnel beneath the temple dates back to AD 200 – 250; it has withstood for almost two millenniums, on the basis of ancient technology.

More, with more photos:
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/meet-tlaloque-i-mexicos-high-tech-archeologist-exploring-2000-year-old/2934/