Underwater archaeologists have examined the bottom of a volcanic lake in Guatemala. They examined the sunken sacred island found by an amateur scuba diver, where the Mayans once gathered for religious worship
The ruins of buildings under water were accidentally found 12 years ago by an amateur diver who, for fun, dived to the bottom of the picturesque Lake Atitlan almost every weekend. “Nobody believed me when I told about my find. Everyone just said - yes he is crazy! - said Roberto Samayoa.
Samayoa grew up near the lake and more than once heard stories from his grandmother about a certain sunken sanctuary. He sank to the bottom of the lake for many years. Often the diver stumbled upon shards of pottery from the pre-classical period of Mayan history. With the permission of the Institute of Anthropology and History of Guatemala, he began to collect these pieces, and later arranged a whole exhibition of the objects he discovered in his hotel. Finally, in 1996, Samayoa found ruins of buildings and huge ceremonial stones - steles. He called this place Samabaj: the first part of the word "sam" is from the surname of the discoverer, and the second part "avah" is the Mayan word, which means "stone." In other words, Samavah can be translated as “the stone of Samayoa”.
Guatemalan archaeologists submerged for the first time
Scientists became interested in finding Samayoa only last year. They conducted the first underwater archaeological research in the history of Guatemala. With the help of sonar, the scientists mapped an area of 400 square meters. m and studied the buildings.
“The most interesting thing about Samavakh is that practically everything is on the surface. Working underwater is not at all like archaeological research on land. Usually excavation is required to find something. Here this is not the case - various structures and buildings are immediately visible. Of course, a layer of sediment has accumulated in the center of Samavakh over the past 2000 years, but still, the general structure of the site is immediately visible,”said Sonia Medrano, head of the Samavaha Archaeological Project.
Cartographic work took place from August 2008 to March 2009. During this time, archaeologists were able to carry out about 30 dives, and work under water each time lasted about eight hours.
“At the bottom of the lake, we couldn't use ordinary tape measures to measure structures. Therefore, we took the folding rulers that carpenters use. They also tend to rust worse,”said Samayoa, who joined the archaeological expedition. He added that most of the buildings examined are oriented east-west, with the ceremonial monoliths facing south.
How did the Mayan sanctuary sink?
According to experts, this place, which is located at a depth of 15-20 meters, used to be an island, which, as a result of some kind of cataclysm (volcanic eruption or landslide), was under water. Geologists have yet to puzzle over the reasons for the rise in the water level in Atitlan. Perhaps the lake used to be a river, the channel of which was blocked as a result of a natural disaster. One way or another, the island still to some extent rises above the bottom: from the south of Samavakh the depth of the lake reaches 80 m, and from the north - more than 100 m
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According to Samayoa, the ruins he discovered are not the only evidence of Mayan life. Perhaps, other inhabited islets were also under water, although, most likely, they are much smaller than Samavakh.
Village for 150 people
“There was no city here, most likely a village, since the size of the island is quite small - 400 by 350 meters,” Medrano said. The researchers identified three groups of buildings. The first group included only one building, from which the foundation was preserved. In size, it resembles the house of the head of the community. The walls of the house are built of well-hewn and fitted stones. These stones had the correct geometric shape, most likely square, but it is impossible to say more precisely, since for so many centuries the underwater currents could greatly change them.
The second group included eight smaller structures. Buildings 1 and 2 are located almost parallel - a kind of narrow corridor forms between them. The largest house in this group - building 5 - is also built of hewn stones.
The third group again includes only one building - the longest of all. All four corners of this structure are destroyed by underwater currents. But the main difference between this house and others is the main staircase located along the north-south axis. Its length reaches 25.8 m, and its width is 9.2 m.
In addition to the buildings in the village, there are many steles decorated with carvings. For example, a basalt stele near building 1 is 1.2 m high and 0.6 m wide.
Ancient religious center
Archaeologists have dated the flooded buildings to the year 250, that is, the period when the Mayan state had not yet reached its peak. And the completely preserved pottery, which was found there, testifies that the inhabitants of the island left it in a hurry, leaving all their belongings behind.
“We found six steles and four altars. No doubt there are other similar structures there. This means that this place was a very important religious center,”said Medrano.
Apparently, up to 150 people could live on the island. Many ritual accessories have been preserved in the houses - perhaps Samavah was a Mayan pilgrimage center. Probably, people hired boats on the coast, which took everyone to the island.
Future plans of archaeologists
It is quite difficult to explore the ruins of the sacred island in the muddy and green waters. It is not easy for archaeologists to see even objects lying on the surface, let alone find and study things under a thick layer of sediment. On the best days, underwater visibility is no more than a meter.
The exact location of the mysterious island is classified as researchers fear an influx of "black archaeologists". Scientists will begin the second phase of research on the flooded island in February next year. They hope to remove some of the layers that cover Samavah. In addition, the story of the mysterious island will be featured in the Mayan Blue documentary, which will be released next year.