The Hunt for Hidden Chambers in Chichén Itzá
Physicists are using cosmic rays called muons to “x-ray” the Kukulcan pyramid at Chichén Itzá. They hope to uncover hidden chambers and deepen our understanding of Mayan cosmology. This project involves international collaboration and using muons to explore ancient structures.
The ancient Maya were masters of architecture, astronomy, and mathematics. Their great cities, once teeming hubs of civilization, now stand as mysterious testaments to their ingenuity. Among the most iconic of these cities is Chichén Itzá, a sprawling complex home to El Castillo, the majestic pyramid of Kukulcan. But the Maya, notoriously meticulous record keepers, have left us puzzling gaps in the story of El Castillo — gaps that scientists are hoping to fill with unlikely tools: cosmic rays and a dose of adventurous spirit.
An international team, led by Mexico's National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), is embarking on an ambitious venture – the NAUM project (Non-invasive Archaeology Using Muography). Think of muography as cosmic-ray-powered x-ray vision. Muons, particles produced when cosmic rays collide with our atmosphere, constantly shower the Earth. And just like X-rays pass more easily through flesh than bone, muons have varying abilities to penetrate different densities of material. Placing highly sensitive detectors around a structure allows researchers to map out those density variations, revealing hidden chambers, passageways, and even subtle differences in construction techniques.
