Treasure-filled cave held weapons — including dart thrower. See 1,900-year-old finds
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During the first century, a hunter-gatherer crafted a spear-shaped dart thrower and two wooden darts. Eventually, the weapons ended up in a cave in Mexico — and that’s where they stayed for close to 1,900 years.
That is until April 2023, when archaeologists unearthed the trove of weapons, according to a Jan. 24 news release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
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Experts ventured into de la Cueva del Tesoro — which translates to the cave of treasures — and explored an intricate underground ravine. That’s where they found the ancient weapons, officials said.
Among their finds, archaeologists identified an atlatl, which is a spear-like dart thrower, and two wooden darts. The atlatl measured a little more than a foot and a half long, and the darts were between about 2 feet to 2 and a half feet long.
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Archaeologists also found a pair of modified logs, which were likely used as digging sticks and as multifunctional tools, officials said. The sticks measured between about 4 and a half feet to 5 and a half feet long.
The cave’s dryness allowed for the preservation of the objects, which date to between 7 A.D. and 132 A.D., experts said.
Further excavations and investigations will take place in the areas surrounding the cave to gain a better understanding of the ancient societies that once inhabited the region, according to officials.
The cave is in Cadereyta, Querétaro, which is a city about 150 miles northwest of Mexico City.
Google Translate was used to translate a news release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.
This story was originally published January 25, 2024 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Treasure-filled cave held weapons — including dart thrower. See 1,900-year-old finds."
