Mexico City Excavation May Hold Royal Tomb

Archaeologists inMexico City have their fingers crossed, hoping that an excavation now under way contains a royal Aztec tomb. If it does, this will be the first tomb of an Aztec ruler ever uncovered.

The underground chambers thought to contain the remains of Ahuizotl (Ah-WEE-zoh-tul), the last Aztec ruler to complete his reign before the Spanish Conquest, lie 15 feet below ground, just off Mexico City's central plaza, or zócalo. Archaeologists uncovered a monolith at the site last October that they believe is Ahuizotl's tombstone. Imaging equipment detected rooms beneath the stone that could be burial chambers.

But nearly a year after the initial discovery, archaeologists are still waiting for an answer. The entryway to the tomb is flooded with water, making excavation slow and painstaking. And engineers are still grappling with removal of the monolith, which must be completed before the chambers underneath can be explored. Archaeologists hope to enter the inner chambers by this fall and find Ahuizotl's ashes.

This is the first time archaeologists have been able to excavate in the zócalo area. It's known that the Aztecs cremated and buried their rulers there. But because the Spanish built their own city atop the Aztec center, excavating hasn't been allowed, as it would destroy Spanish colonial buildings that are historically valuable in their own right. A 1985 earthquake damaged one colonial building so severely that it was torn down-giving experts the opportunity to check what lay beneath it.

If Ahuizotl's tomb is found, it will be a major coup for Mexican archaeology. Ahuizotl was a powerful conqueror-ruler who extended the Aztec empire all the way to the Guatemala border. His tomb is likely to provide valuable information not only about Aztec royalty, but about the empire itself at the height of its power. Ahuizotl died in 1502-after Columbus's discovery of America, but years before the Spanish reached the Aztec capital.

The Aztec Empire, and its dramatic end, continues to fascinate people worldwide. Expect to see at least one major museum exhibit of the finds if the tomb is found. And personally, I anticipate seeing Ahuizotl The Video Game shortly thereafter.

Best Regards,

Suzan Haskins
Editor, Mexico Insider
International Living

P.S. Puerto Vallarta doesn't have Aztec ruins, but it will have other enticements September 23-25.