Church Emerges From Water During Drought
The building constructed by monks in the mid-1500s was flooded and disappeared underwater with the completion of a dam in 1966.
The ruins of a 16th century colonial church in Mexico have emerged from beneath the surface of a reservoir during a drought.
A lack of rain in the southern state of Chiapas has seen levels in the man-made lake drop by 75ft (25m), revealing the remains of the building dating from the mid-1500s.
The church was submerged in 1966 following the completion of the dam.
It is the second time the church has been revealed by receding waters.
In 2002 the level fell so low people could actually walk inside the building.
Fisherman Leonel Mendoza recalled: "The people celebrated.
"They came to eat, to hang out, to do business. I sold them fried fish. They did processions around the church."
The church, built by monks headed by Friar Bartolome de la Casas, was linked to the nearby monastery of Tecpatan, founded in 1564.
It was located on the King's Highway, a road designed by Spanish conquistadors which was still in use until the 20th century.
Measuring 183ft in length, 42ft wide and with walls 30ft high, the bell tower rises to 48ft above the ground.
Archaeologist Carlos Navarrete said: "Most probably the church was abandoned due to the big plagues of 1773-1776. It was a catastrophe."
A previous dig revealed a mass burial site with the remains of plague victims.
source: Church Emerges From Water During Drought
The building constructed by monks in the mid-1500s was flooded and disappeared underwater with the completion of a dam in 1966.
The ruins of a 16th century colonial church in Mexico have emerged from beneath the surface of a reservoir during a drought.
A lack of rain in the southern state of Chiapas has seen levels in the man-made lake drop by 75ft (25m), revealing the remains of the building dating from the mid-1500s.
The church was submerged in 1966 following the completion of the dam.
It is the second time the church has been revealed by receding waters.
In 2002 the level fell so low people could actually walk inside the building.
Fisherman Leonel Mendoza recalled: "The people celebrated.
"They came to eat, to hang out, to do business. I sold them fried fish. They did processions around the church."
The church, built by monks headed by Friar Bartolome de la Casas, was linked to the nearby monastery of Tecpatan, founded in 1564.
It was located on the King's Highway, a road designed by Spanish conquistadors which was still in use until the 20th century.
Measuring 183ft in length, 42ft wide and with walls 30ft high, the bell tower rises to 48ft above the ground.
Archaeologist Carlos Navarrete said: "Most probably the church was abandoned due to the big plagues of 1773-1776. It was a catastrophe."
A previous dig revealed a mass burial site with the remains of plague victims.
source: Church Emerges From Water During Drought