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Re: Re[2]: Mystery Photo
John Pastore (venture@CANCUN.RCE.COM.MX)
Wed, 24 Apr 1996 17:34:33 +0000
On 23 Apr 96 at 23:30, John Dougherty wrote:
> I have looked at this picture, but cannot make much of it.
> Also, not being a Mayanist or a Mayan, this is pure
> speculation. However, having examined historic wells which
> masonry lined, I would guess that the work was done from
> the inside out, if I understand "embedded in limestone"
> correctly - i.e. a tunnel in live rock.
Hi John,
The flash of the second photo reveals that the walls of the tunnel
are were not blocked, but rather carved, planed and smoothed from
the "live rock" as you say; and yes it was built from the inside
out.
...Our wells had to be
> lined beginning at the bottom and comleted course by
> course, working upward.
I know that the exhanges of communications on this subject may not
have caught up with you yet, when they do, I think you will agree,
it could not be a well. And what's "comleted"? (I'm not a trained
acrhaeologist, just a super-fan-do-it-yourselfer).
...In the case of your tunnel, I would
> suspect that blocks were handed in, possibly to someone in
> a sitting position or on their knees,
Well, no blocks were handed in for that purpose as the tunnel does
not appear blocked, but a block, possibly used for the construction,
of the interior room or corridor is lying on the floor of the tunnel
(its too bad the second photo does not reveal the height of the room
or corridor). Insofar as someone sitting or on there knees, I think
you need to pull out a ruler and just take a look at how small the
dimensions are: app. 20" x 20" x 20" x 24" (bottom). Even if someone
of even the shortest normal stature was laying down was responsible
for the quarrying, so to speak, there would be almost no room to
maneuver, and why bother with making the ceiling of the tunnel
korbeled, and why make a step (for feet) going in? And why does it
remain clear to this day --free of debris and even the roots of
trees which permeates everything else below ground here as in
cenotes?
...who constucted the
> arch starting at the "wall or corridor".
When I said from the inside-out as opposed to the outside-in, I meant
the building of the tunnel, or its excavation, had to have occurred
from within the hole of the tunnel as the hole progressed as opposed
to without, as if a much wider, original, excavation having occurred,
and then with blocks constructing the tunnel from without, and later
filling in the space left between the new tunnel and the original
wider excavation. The flash of the second photo reveals however that
the walls of the tunnel do not appear blocked. And the surrounding
limestone appears as solid as ever. It was carved from within the
hole that is the tunnel as its construction progressed. The aspect
though that the starting point of the tunnel's excavation may have
started from the room or corridor at its far end rather than the
outside, above ground, surface is interesting though. It could be,
and such would imply another entrance. It would, however still leave
the question of by who and for who unanswered. I really believe I am
looking at a walkway, not even a very tight crawlway for even people
of 5' 5", which I am.
... Stature wise, I
> suspect being able to work in extreme discomfort is more
> important.
>
Not really, the region is strewn with houses, astronomical
observatories, etc, and etc. of miniature proportions. I will
forward more data on that to you and the list later tommarrow if you
like. Thank you for your input, and please keep inputting.
Ka Xiik Keech Ya Utzil,
John Pastore
Writer/Guide in 'El Mayab'
("The Mayan Homeland")
venture@cancun.rce.com.mx
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