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1,400-year-old tomb featuring giant owl sculpture discovered in Mexico

41 points by breve

by defrost

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Primary release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History:

* https://www.inah.gob.mx/boletines/el-gobierno-de-mexico-anun...

Better than CNN english language reporting based on primary release:

* https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/01/an-intact-1400-yea...

Lack of location details and surrounds is deliberate in this type of work given the activities of looky lous and treasure hunter types, however there has been many years of prior work grinding through funery sites, burial "high rises", and cities of the dead:

  The significance of the discovery is further consolidated through comparisons with other high-status Zapotec funerary contexts in the region, such as those at Monte Albán or Lambityeco. Due to its construction quality, decorative richness, and symbolic complexity, the newly discovered tomb joins this elite group, confirming the existence of a powerful and widespread artistic and religious tradition in the Central Valleys during the Classic period. It is not an isolated find, but a key piece that completes a cultural mosaic, providing new data on the standardization of certain rituals and the diversity of iconographic expressions of power in death.

by shartshooter

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I wish this article shared more about how this tomb was discovered. Was it buried under mountain of dirt? Under a jungle canopy no one explored? Has it been there all along at an existing ruins site but was hidden in some way? Give us details man!

by engineer_22

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The Zapotec civilization pre-dates the Aztecs and Maya and were the first to develop a writing system in Mexico.
Benito Juarez, President of Mexico during their revolution, was Zapotec.
The Zapotec people are still around today and a large number still speak their ancient language. A large number moved to LA and another group in New Jersey, but they're all over the US.