Peruvian archaeologists have discovered a sealed underground corridor known as “the condor’s passageway”, dating back to the Chavin civilisation.
The Chavin people, whose civilisation ended more than 1,000 years ago, lived high in the Andean mountains of Peru, 3,000 metres above sea level.
They are known for having built granite and limestone temples with complex drainage systems to prevent flooding, as well as creating sculptures from carefully hammered sheets of gold.
Their metalsmiths developed an understanding of melting points, soldering and creating alloys, which was impressive for the time.
The corridor, one of dozens at the site that are linked to underground structures, is about 3,000 years old. Explorers used a camera mounted on a robot to investigate the tunnel, which is thought to be at risk of collapse.
Legend of the Lanzon
About 430km north of Lima, the Chavin de Huantar archaeological site is among the culture's most important, and thrived from about 1,500 to 550 BC.
The area, which became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1985, contains about 35 tunnels that have been discovered over decades of excavations.
The Chavin de Huantar is filled with carvings of animals thought to have religious significance, including jaguars and caymans. At the centre of the complex of buildings is the Lanzon, a holy stone sculpture sited in a network of tunnels, which features a carving of a hybrid human-jaguar figure.
It is thought worshippers would walk through the dark tunnels before eventually being confronted with the Lanzon and performing religious rituals.
“What we have here has been frozen in time,” lead archaeologist John Rick told Reuters.
Mr Rick has been studying the area for nearly 30 years and says the world of carvings, sculptures, tunnels and roaring sounds from water flowing through specially created canals represents is an example of an early effort by authoritarian rulers to control their subjects.
“I was fascinated with the evidence we have for this idea of manipulation of people who went through ritual experiences in these structures,” he told Stanford News in 2016.
The religious order in the Chavin civilisation “needed to create a new world, one in which the settings, objects, actions and senses all argue for the presence of intrinsic authority”, he said at the time.
A large ceramic piece weighing about 17kg, decorated with what appears to be a condor's head and wings, was found in the aisle, along with a ceramic bowl, both unearthed in May last year when the entrance was uncovered.
The condor, one of the largest birds in the world, was associated with power and prosperity in ancient Andean cultures.
Mr Rick, a Stanford University archaeologist, has said much of the temple complex is still to be excavated.
Agencies contributed to this report
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
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Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
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