During the archaeological rescue efforts led by the federal Ministry of Culture, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), nine patolli engravings were discovered along Section 7 of the Maya Train. These patollis, which are an ancient Mesoamerican game, were found on the free road to Chetumal, in a structure identified as T7-44279, […]
Mexico
8 Large Pre-Hispanic Shell Mounds Up to 12 Meters High Found on a Mexican Island
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 […]
A Large Panel with 123 Maya Glyphs Mentioning an Until-Now Unknown King, Discovered in Mexico
The Secretariat of Culture of the Government of Mexico, in collaboration with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), has announced the discovery of a fascinating panel containing an extensive Maya hieroglyphic text, which was found engraved on the rock of a nearby lagoon to the imposing pyramid structure Nohoch Mul, in the emblematic […]
The DNA of a Child Sacrificed in the Ancient City of Paquimé in Mexico Reveals a Surprising Relationship
A recent genetic study of the remains of a child buried in the ancient city of Paquimé in northern Mexico has revealed a surprising finding: the parents of this child were closely related, likely being half-siblings or uncle/aunt and niece/nephew. This level of consanguinity is extremely rare in most human societies, but it appears to […]
The Discovery of “The Man of Bilbao” Reveals a Tool Production Camp of Hunter-Gatherers in Mexico
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has announced a significant archaeological discovery in the Coahuila desert. It is the skeleton of an individual, called “The Man of Bilbao”, found in the dunes near the ancient Viesca lagoon. This discovery, dated between 700 and 1000 years ago, sheds light on the life of the […]
A “Tepari”, Carved Human Bones, and Offerings Thrown into the Lake, Discovered at Janitzio Island in Michoacán
Recently, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) discovered archaeological remains on the shores of Janitzio Island, in the state of Michoacán in Mexico, consisting of a series of materials of great historical and cultural value. The most notable discovery so far is a tepari (traditional boat) that measures 14.80 meters in length. This […]
Mayan Genome Analysis Reveals Practice of Ritual Sacrifice of Twin Boys
A new study explores the ritual practice of child sacrifice at Chichén Itzá, an ancient Maya city. Following the collapse of the classical Maya civilization, Chichén Itzá emerged as a powerful and influential city. Despite its prominence, much about its political connections and ritual life remains a mystery. The study, published in Nature, reveals that […]
An Offering to the “Smoking Obsidian Mirror Lord” Unearthed in the Great Basement of Tlatelolco, Mexico
As part of the 80th anniversary of explorations in the Tlatelolco Archaeological Zone, a highly significant archaeological discovery has been revealed: an offering box intended to consecrate an architectural expansion of the Great Basement, dating back over seven centuries. This finding is part of the conservation efforts of the Tlatelolco Project, which the federal Ministry […]
Remains of Mayan Beekeeping Discovered in Mexico
Beekeeping has been a deeply rooted practice in the daily life of the Mayan population of the Yucatán Peninsula since pre-Hispanic times, as evidenced by various codices, such as the Madrid or the Tro-Cortesian, as well as some chronicles of the Indies, which mention that the ancient indigenous people used honey both as food, an […]
The Taam Ja’ Blue Hole in Chetumal Bay is the Deepest in the World and Could Contain Caves and Tunnels
In 2021, the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole was discovered in Chetumal Bay in the southeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Initially recognized as the second deepest blue hole in the world, with a depth of 274 meters, new explorations have shown that its depth exceeds 420 meters below sea level (mbsl), establishing it as the […]