Recently, during the 2023-2024 field seasons at the La Morita II prehistoric cave in the state of Nuevo León (Mexico), archaeologists made several significant discoveries. Among the most notable findings are human remains dating back 2,500 to 3,000 years before the present.
The human remains, corresponding to a baby and two teenagers, were found at a depth of 1.65 meters in the southern chamber of the cave.
According to archaeologist Moisés Valadez Moreno, bones such as hand phalanges, foot metatarsals, an ulna, and a humerus were identified, along with ribs and dental pieces. It is believed that the bodies were intentionally dismembered and deposited there as part of a funerary practice.
Other objects found alongside the human remains include fragments of basketry, textiles, and fibers that likely were part of the bundle that enveloped them. The team also discovered utensils and tools for domestic-ritual use.
Valadez Moreno explains that in indigenous societies in northeastern Mexico, there were funeral customs to conceal burial sites.
According to chronicles of the time, when a mother died during childbirth or shortly after, the baby was sacrificed to accompany her.
In some cases, such as twin births, it was considered a bad omen, and one of the newborns was buried alive.
The same fate befell any infant showing signs of malformation or congenital defects. In the northeastern region of the country, rustic mausoleums were practiced in caves, shelters, or secluded places, where there was a clear effort to conceal the burial site, noted the archaeologist.
In addition to the human remains, researchers recovered around 1,500 artifacts of ritual and domestic use, such as spear points, polished stones, and punches, ranging from 4,500 to 2,500 years BP.
They also found organic materials such as cord fragments and basketry dating back around 3,000 years BP.
All these discoveries provide new information about the ancient communities that inhabited this region of the country.
The findings add to the nearly 30,000 cultural remains collected since 2003 at La Morita II.
Excavations continue to yield important data about the pre-Hispanic cultures of northeastern Mexico.
Sources
Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) of Mexico
- Share on:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Shipwreck from the 6th Century BC, Stone and Iron Anchors, Found Off the Southern Coast of Sicily
A highly significant archaeological discovery has come to light in the waters of Santa Maria del Focallo, in the municipality of Ispica, Ragusa province, Sicily. During an underwater excavation campaign,…
A heroon with intact tombs filled with luxurious jewels and lions sculpted in Pentelic marble, found in the ancient Greek city of Ripes in Achaea
At the beginning of October, the systematic archaeological excavation season concluded on the Trapezá plateau, located eight kilometers southwest of Aigio, Greece. This site is identified with the ancient city…
Statue Possibly Representing Cleopatra VII and Numerous Coins Featuring Her Effigy Found at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, West of Alexandria
The Egyptian-Dominican archaeological mission, led by Dr. Kathleen Martínez in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), has made new discoveries at the Temple of Taposiris Magna, located…
Roman Soldier Flaccus’ Tomb Discovered in the Netherlands, Dating to the Late 1st Century BCE
In late November 2024, during archaeological investigations conducted in Heerlen (Netherlands), an exceptional discovery was made: the tomb of a Roman soldier named Flaccus. This find, dating to the late…
The Mystery of the Mardaites: The Christian Highlanders Who Maintained Their Autonomy Between Byzantium and the Caliphate
In the province of Hatay, in southern Turkey, there is a mountain range locally known as Nur Dağları. Arabs call it Jabal al-Lukkam, and in Spanish, its Greek name, Amanus,…
The Jaxartes River, the Battle Where Alexander Defeated the Scythians Using Catapults, Wounded and with Nearly His Entire Army Sick with Dysentery
As its name indicates, the Spanish Cape of Finisterre (finis terrae) was considered in Antiquity as the westernmost limit of the known world. But where was the eastern border located…
Nature of the Enigmatic “Armas de la tierra” of the Coronado Expedition in the 16th Century Revealed
Recent research has unveiled the nature of the weaponry used by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s expedition (which crossed the present-day U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas),…
A Megalography Depicting a Rare Mythological Scene of Achilles and Bronze Statuettes Found in a Roman “Domus” in Reims
The urban organization of Durocortorum, the Gallo-Roman city now known as Reims in France, faithfully adhered to the principles of Roman urbanism. The city was divided into blocks bounded by…
Neolithic Rondel Found in Poland Reveals These Ceremonial Centers May Have Been Managed by Organizations Similar to Secret Societies 7,000 Years Ago
An archaeological discovery in the locality of Nowe Objezierze, in the northwest of Poland, has led to a significant breakthrough in understanding the Neolithic societies of Central Europe. An interdisciplinary…
New Geoarchaeological Evidence Challenges the Identification of Kalkriese Hill as the place of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
Kalkriese Hill, located in northwestern Germany, has been identified for decades as a potential site of the historic Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 CE, a decisive confrontation between…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
