Trove of 1,000-year-old skeletons — an unprecedented discovery — unearthed in Mexico
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About 1,000 years ago, a collection of skeletons were strategically buried in Mexico: Skulls were stacked and femurs were placed in their own section.
Since then, the burial remained hidden underground — until now.
Archaeologists in the town of Pozo de Ibarra recently discovered the trove of bones amid a sewage network construction project, according to a Feb. 26 news release from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
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In the burial, researchers found long bones, including femurs, tibias, rays and ulnae, placed in their own sector. Skulls were grouped elsewhere, and some of them were stacked on top of each other. At least seven complete skulls were unearthed.
Some of the skulls had evidence of cranial modification, which was done for aesthetics and social distinction in certain Mesoamerican cultures, researchers said.
Photos show the ancient buried remains.
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Ceramics and figurines found among the remains date to the Amapa cultural phase, which lasted from 500 A.D. until about 850 A.D., so archaeologists believe the burial is from the same time period.
Experts said the remains were buried after they were skeletonized and were likely part of a specific ceremonial practice. They could belong to males of the same family as part of a ritual to celebrate a settlement’s founding.
The discovery is unprecedented, and no other similar burials have been found in nearby sites, according to archaeologists. The burial provides greater insight into the lives and practices of pre-Hispanic society in Mexico.
Pozo de Ibarra is in western Mexico, about 430 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 February 28, 2024 at 10:10 AM with the headline "Trove of 1,000-year-old skeletons — an unprecedented discovery — unearthed in Mexico."
