Tazōzo
Accessed through a 1.9 km (1.2 mi) long gorge, the Tazōzo complex is believed to have been known to its original inhabitants as Tāōā Šiōi (pronounced /tæːɔːˈæː ʃɪɔːˈɪ/ or tay-oh-ay She-oh-ee; Proto-Āsitī language). An ancient city complex, Tazōzo is carved into the cliff walls of mountain chain, situated deep in the Southern Maka Desert, which completely hides the complex and forms the eastern flank of a wide valley curving toward and disappearing into the Great Basin Ocean.
Consisting of as many as 40 distinct levels, or floors, reaching 236 m (774 ft.) from the lowest floor to the uppermost ceiling, containing hundreds of rooms, dozens of monuments, and intricate and complex wall carvings, mural paintings, and sculptures, all overlooking a vast chiseled amphitheater, seemingly sculpted by hand over three distinct periods, the area is thought to have been inhabited as early as 17,000 years (~11,100 Earth years) ago, with Tazōzo likely being the capital of an ancient, yet unknown and unnamed kingdom. However, recent discovery of the Tazōzo Manuscripts definitively places the inhabitants here a minimum of 7,600 years (approximately 5,000 Earth years) ago, with the location in which the manuscripts were found, deep within the mountain complex, likely dating back much earlier, much archaeological work is yet to be done, but discoveries are astounding so far.
It is believed the early Sērbaka of the area were nomadic, and that Tazōzo proximity to trade routes likely established it as the major trade hub of the regional. Trade would have gained the Tazōzo Sērbaka considerable wealth, which they clearly focused on Tazōzo. Furthermore, the Tazōzo Sērbaka would have been accustomed to the barren deserts, enabling them to protect their wealth and repel attacks of their enemies from outside the Southern Maka Desert, likely taking full advantage of the mountainous terrain. Particularly skilled at rainwater harvesting and stone carving, Tazōzo flourished for many generations, peaking at an estimated 25,000 inhabitants, sometime around eight or nine thousand years ago.
Little remains known about the city, its structure, and original inhabitants but through further archeological study, clues are emerging. For example, an ancient earthquake, which damaged or destroyed many structures, including perhaps the largest Sērbaka made underground freshwater reservoir likely directly led to Tazōzo being abandoned. In later era’s the site would see sporadic use but either because of the earthquake that left the site in ruins, or shifting in trade routes, or both, Tazōzo succumbed to disuse, disappearing from memory and the world until it was rediscovered two generations ago.
Not only is the site of incredible archaeological and historical significance, but the site is also a tourist attraction and active archeological site, controlled and protected by the archeological sector of the Sērbaka Science Institute. Much of Tazōzo is open to the public, including portions of the current dig, though obviously, cordoned off to allow space to work.
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