August 29, 2012

On August 19, 2012, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and Google Mexico announced on Antigua Y Medieval that users of the Google Earth and Google Maps platforms can now enjoy 360 degree street views of 30 of Mexico's notable archeological finds. (Copy and paste "http://antiguaymedieval.blogspot.com/2012/08/zonas-arqueologicas-de-mexico-en-360.html" into the Google Translate Box on translate.google.com to view this article in English.)

Google created a unique three wheeled filming vehicle to produce these interesting street views of historic sites in Mexico, many of which have no paved roads or pathways throughout the sites.

The first 30 locations are prehispanic sites that include: Teotihuacan and its four neighborhoods (State of Mexico), Xochicalco (Morelos), Monte Alban (Oaxaca), and Dzibilchaltún Chichen Itza (Yucatan), Tulum (Quintana Roo), Tula ( Hidalgo), Cholula (Puebla), El Tajin (Veracruz), Palenque and Bonampak (Chiapas), Paquimé (Chihuahua) and Cuicuilco (Mexico City), among others. At the end of 2012, there will be 81 archaeological sites that viewers can electronically roam and are guarded by INAH. All the sites were chosen for their cultural significance and for being popular among tourists.

It is very cool! Follow this link for a translation of the article and an example of what one sees through this new Google Earth feature: Explore Archeological Sites Through Google Earth

Enjoy!