Researchers have documented a series of monumental snake engravings along the Orinoco River in South America. These rock art pieces, some of which exceed 40 meters in length, are not only an artistic enigma but also deeply linked to indigenous cosmogonic myths and pre-Columbian cultural practices. The rock art of the Middle and Upper Orinoco […]
Pre-Hispanic America
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 Anasazi Used Conch Shells as Trumpets to Communicate 1,000 Years Ago
Research into senses and perceptions can greatly enrich our understanding of human experiences in the past. In recent decades, sensory studies have gained ground in archaeology, allowing researchers to explore new ways to understand how people experienced and related to ancient landscapes. An interdisciplinary team has just published a fascinating study using Geographic Information Systems […]
Patagones, the “Three-meter-tall giants” that Magellan Found at the Southern Tip of America
In 2022, the 500th anniversary of the First Circumnavigation of the World was celebrated, the Spanish maritime expedition that allowed for global circumnavigation and opened a route to the Spice Islands as an alternative to the route along the southern tip of Africa, which was monopolized by Portugal. It was a grand adventure in which […]
Chultun Discovered for the First Time Inside a Building in the Mayan City of Tulum
A chultún is a type of underground bottle-shaped reservoir used to collect rainwater and is an important element in the architecture of the Mayan civilization. The discovery of one of these compartments inside a building for the first time in the Archaeological Zone of Tulum has sparked great interest among archaeologists. The find is part […]
Maya blessed their ball fields by depositing hallucinogenic plants and chili under them
For sports enthusiasts, iconic locations like Fenway Park, Wembley Stadium, or Centre Court at Wimbledon are revered as hallowed ground. But even millennia before these modern venues, ancient Maya built ballcourts that were more than just places to play; they were sites of ceremonial significance and sacred rituals. Recent archaeological research from the University of […]
Maya Ruler Burned Bodies of their Predecessors to Reinvent the Kingdom, Remains Found in Ucanal Reveal
Researchers have discovered evidence of a ritual burning event of human bones in the early 9th century at the Maya site of Ucanal (Guatemala), the capital of the K’anwitznal kingdom. This event marked a moment of change not only for the kingdom but also for the Maya Lowlands in general. Excavations at Ucanal have revealed […]
Mega-Earthquakes were the Cause of the Architectural Evolution of Teotihuacan, and its Subsequent Abandonment
Teotihuacán, one of the most influential Mesoamerican cultures, has witnessed devastating earthquakes since the dawn of the American civilizations. This city located in the Central Valley of Mexico, which flourished between 150 B.C. and 650 A.D., was the scene of a highly developed society that built imposing pyramids and temples. According to a recent study, […]
Petroglyphs Discovered in Southern Peru Depict Songs Related to Cosmological Rituals
One of the richest sites in rock art in South America is found in Toro Muerto, in southern Peru. A unique aspect of the iconography of the petroglyphs at the site is the figures of dancing people, called “dancers”, which are often associated with geometric motifs, mainly variants of zigzag lines. Building upon intriguing data […]