In a discovery that sheds light on the complex interactions between pre-Hispanic cultures in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, archaeologists have uncovered what could be the most extensive shell mound site in the state of Sinaloa, located on Macapule Island, one of 17 islets scattered across the Gulf of California in the municipality of Guasave.
The discovery, made during a recent archaeological survey led by José Rodrigo Vivero Miranda, a PhD candidate in Archaeology at the University of Oklahoma, could provide key insights into understanding the dynamics of a region that functioned as a cultural transition area, absorbing influences from both Aridoamerica and Mesoamerica.
The expedition, supported by the federal Ministry of Culture through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), identified 15 archaeological sites along a roughly 30-kilometer route between the towns of Chorohui and La Pitahaya.
However, the most important discovery was made on Macapule Island: eight imposing shell mounds rising up to 12 meters high and reaching circumferences of 30 meters at their base, spread over 8 kilometers from the coastline.
The uniqueness of this discovery lies not only in its magnitude but also in its strategic geographical location. According to Vivero Miranda, the nearest similar site, known as El Calón, is located more than 300 kilometers to the south, in the region of Marismas Nacionales, highlighting the significance of Macapule Island as a unique enclave for studying pre-Hispanic cultural dynamics in the region.
The archaeological potential of the island has prompted the INAH Sinaloa Center, under the direction of Servando Rojo Quintero, to initiate the necessary procedures for the site to be declared an Archaeological Monuments Zone, a designation that would ensure its protection and facilitate future research.
This measure is considered crucial, especially given the possibility that more pre-Hispanic occupation sites may exist in the mangrove areas surrounding this Protected Natural Area.
Although excavations at the Macapule Island shell mounds are pending a formal agreement between the INAH Sinaloa Center and the University of Oklahoma, expectations are high.
Researchers hope to find archaeological contexts as rich as those uncovered in 1938 by American archaeologist Gordon F. Ekholm at Site 117, also known as “El Ombligo”, in Chorohui, where nearly 190 burials were recovered, revealing complex funerary practices and significant cultural interaction.
Preliminary analysis suggests that the Guasave area functioned as a cultural melting pot, where elements of various traditions fused to create a unique identity. This dynamic is compared to that of modern border cities like Tijuana or Nogales, where the confluence of cultures generates distinctive cultural expressions.
The importance of this discovery lies in its potential to deepen our understanding of how ancient societies in the region integrated foreign cultural elements into their daily lives.
Additionally, the Macapule Island archaeological site offers a unique window into exploring not only the subsistence strategies of these peoples but also the complex networks of commercial interaction between coastal and inland communities.
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