Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered evidence of a vast underground labyrinth beneath a 15th-century church, confirming the existence of a mythical city called “Lyobaa,” or “place of rest,” according to Spanish legend. The discovery was made by the Mexican National Institute of History and Anthropology, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the Association for Archaeological Research and Exploration called the “ARX Project Lyobaa.” The labyrinth is believed to have been built by the Zapotec culture, which existed in Mexico from 700 BCE to the time of Spanish conquests when they were part of the Aztec Empire. 

Using a combination of three geophysical scanning technologies, the researchers created a 3D model of the subterranean passageways beneath the Church of San Pablo, which was built on the Mitla site. The model shows a very large hollow void underneath the precise location of the altar inside the church. Additionally, the void appears to be connected with another significant geophysical anomaly located immediately to the north of the church. 

The study has revealed evidence of an earlier construction stage of the Palace of the Columns, Mitla’s most important and best-preserved ancient monument, as well as several other geophysical anomalies that may be interpreted as tombs or buried archaeological structures. These findings will help rewrite the history of the origins of Mitla and its development as an ancient site. Further studies of this kind are already scheduled for this September, meaning that the true scope of the mythical Lyobaa could be illuminated before the year is out.