Mitla, the renowned archaeological site entwined with the mysteries of the Zapotec culture in southern Mexico, has recently become the focus of an intriguing geophysical study. This exploration, conducted as part of the Lyobaa Project in 2016, led by the National Institute of History and Anthropology (INAH), has unearthed compelling evidence of an underground labyrinth beneath the historical grounds of Mitla – often referred to as the Zapotec "Place of the Dead."

Mitla's significance lies in its association with the Zapotec civilization, which flourished from the late 6th century BC. Situated in the Oaxaca Valley in present-day Oaxaca, this culture centered around key settlements like Oaxaca, San José Mogote, and Mitla, with the civic-ceremonial center at Monte Albán. At its peak, the Zapotec civilization boasted sophisticated construction techniques, a writing system, dual calendar systems, and advanced agricultural practices, sustaining a population exceeding 500,000 inhabitants.

The Lyobaa Project, employing advanced technologies such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ambient seismic noise interferometry (AIRSA), delved into potential archaeological features beneath the San Pablo Apóstol church. This church, according to local legend, was erected atop an entrance to an underground labyrinth, believed to be a passage between the realms of the living and the dead, known as Mictlán in Nahuatl, translating to the "place of the dead" or the "underworld."

In 1674, Dominican chronicler Francisco Burgoa chronicled the entry of Spanish missionaries into the labyrinth, describing challenging conditions within its depths: "Such was the corruption and bad smell, the dampness of the floor, and a cold wind which extinguished the lights, that at the little distance they had already penetrated, they resolved to come out, and ordered this infernal gate to be thoroughly closed with masonry."

During the second phase of the Lyobaa Project, researchers uncovered buried architectural complexes and a network of corridors within the Calvario, Arroyo, and del Sur groups in the archaeological zone. The Arroyo group, dating back to AD 1200 during the Late Postclassic period, revealed three quadrangle features connected by tunnels, offering insights into the intricate design of these underground structures.

The project also conducted a survey of the quadrangular plaza beneath the San Pablo Apóstol church, unveiling four mounds with clay internal cores. Archaeologist Denisse Argote emphasized the need for short-term intervention to preserve the foundation of the historic church and ensure its structural stability due to existing cracks. Argote noted, "There are cracks in the historic building, since it does not have a foundation and, underneath, in what corresponds to the remains of the pre-Hispanic building, it seems that there are areas with small cavities."

As Mitla continues to reveal its secrets, this geophysical study opens a new chapter in understanding the enigmatic labyrinth beneath, offering a glimpse into the spiritual and architectural dimensions of the Zapotec civilization.

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