Archaeologists in southern Mexico have uncovered an ancient palatial complex that seem to have been dedicated to a terrifying Maya destruction god who ruled over a hellish realm , but was also the god of farts . Known as Ah Puch , or Cizin , the flagitious deity ’s name has been read as “ mephitis ” , “ turgidity ” and “ The Stinking One ” .
The find was made during the construction of a train place near theancient Mayasite of Calakmul , which was among the largest and most muscular pre - Columbian metropolis State Department ever to exist in the Maya lowlands . According to the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History ( INAH ) , the complex was most likely relate with a small settlement called Balamkú , which would have been intemperately influenced by Calakmul .
describe the uncovering in astatement , the INAH account that the complex probably go out to the Early Classic Period , which live on from around 250 to 600 CE . Among the most renowned structures present at the site is a small temple that research worker believe was built in honor of Old Stinky .
Excavations revealed the presence of a circular feature within the temple , at the heart and soul of which were a number of human cadaver , let in teeth and fragments of skull . Alongside these ghastly leftovers , archaeologists also launch a 25 - centimetre eminent ( 9.8 in ) limestone statue of Ah Puch .
The god of death and demolition , Ah Puch was believed to dominate over a level within theMaya underworld , lie with as Xibalbá , which roughly translates as “ the place of affright ” . According to legend , the dreadful god was creditworthy forburning the someone of the beat , set out with their mouth and anus for some reasonableness .
Providing more details about the newfangled discovery , the INAH explains that the statue depicts Ah Puch with a “ large phallus ” and a deformed skull . The physical body also look to be sporting a skull mask , olfactory organ adornment , and breastplate , in conformity with the usual delineation of thedeath god .
The front of this sculpture powerfully indicates that the synagogue was intended as a place of ritual devotion for the flatulent immortal . One can only ideate how it must have smelled in there when the place was in use .
