A groundbreaking muon detector, developed through a U.S.-Mexico scientific collaboration, has arrived in Mexico to peer inside the iconic Kukulcán pyramid at Chichén Itzá without damaging its structure
Project Details:
- Before being installed at the archaeological site, the device will be tested inside a windowless tower at the Institute of Physics at UNAM in Mexico City.
- The final setup is scheduled to begin on August 12, 2025, on the eastern side of the pyramid. All work will take place outside of visiting hours to avoid disrupting tourism.
Scientific Innovation and Goals:
- The device detects muons—subatomic particles that pass through stone—to create a kind of “X-ray” image of the pyramid’s interior, revealing variations in density.
- The project is led by physicist Edmundo García Solís (Chicago State University) in collaboration with UNAM and Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
- Researchers aim to confirm the existence of a third, even older pyramid beneath the known substructures, and possibly identify a royal burial chamber linked to Kukulcán or Quetzalcoatl.
Timeline and Expectations:
- After installation in August, preliminary results are expected within approximately six months.
- The study hopes to provide new insights into one of the world’s most iconic archaeological monuments—without causing any structural damage.
Live as a local in Tulum
More information
