Karst Detection Beneath the Pyramid of El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico, by Non-Invasive ERT-3D Methods

Researchers have uncovered evidence of a potential karst cavity beneath the Pyramid of El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Mexico, using non-invasive 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT-3D). This low-resistivity anomaly, likely filled with sweet water, was detected without disturbing the pyramid's structure or historical context. The study demonstrates that specialized ERT arrays can effectively investigate subsoil conditions beneath archaeological buildings, offering insights into their religious significance. Additionally, the method was validated at El Osario pyramid, where a natural cavity had previously been discovered, further confirming its reliability for non-invasive subsoil analysis in World Heritage Sites.

Chávez, R. E., Tejero-Andrade, A., Cifuentes, G., Argote-Espino, D. L., & Hernández-Quintero, E. (2018). Karst Detection Beneath the Pyramid of El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Mexico, by Non-Invasive ERT-3D Methods. Scientific Reports, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33888-9