Searching with georadar ancient T’hó, a Mayan city underneath the modern Merida, Yucatan

Bibliographic Data

ID19553640
AuthorsLuis Barba (0000-0002-0042-9670, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, corresponding author), Josep Ligorred (Autonomous University of Yucatán), Jorge Blancas (0000-0002-2097-5337, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico), Agustín Ortiz (0000-0002-7018-7638, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico)
Year2019
Volume5
Issue2
Pages247-256
Publication date2019-12-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSTAR Science & Technology of Archaeological Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2054-8923 • E-ISSN: 2054-8923
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/20548923.2020.1760489
OpenAlexW3023108175
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited1

T’hó –a Mayan city cited in historical documents – has been discovered and is now a topic in current archaeological discussions and research topics due to a joint UNAM and UADY research project. This project encompassed several steps, including the recording of material recovered from the city’s subsoil while monitoring urban infrastructure programs, as well as the study of historical documents and maps and finally verifying hypothesis by using georadar. After surveying almost 17 km of paved streets in downtown Merida, we realized that it was possible to recognize three main deposit layers underlying the area. The uppermost layer showed modern fillings and urban infrastructure, the intermediate layer had pre-Hispanic cultural remains, and the deepest one included limestone bedrock. This study constitutes the first attempt to create a map of the remains underlying downtown Merida City in order to know and preserve its archaeological patrimony

Archaeology · Bedrock · Downtown · Geomorphology · National monument · Subsoil · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and Cultural Heritage · History · Latin American history and culture · Architecture · Geology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access