New archaeological site of the Aztatlán culture discovered in Mazatlan, Sinaloa

A new archaeological site belonging to the Aztatlán culture with burials “of unique characteristics” was discovered in the urban area of the port of Mazatlan, in northwestern Mexico, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reported on Saturday.
The discovery occurred fortuitously after the rupture of a pipe left in the sight of workers who were carrying out paving and infrastructure works a series of human remains.
“After the corresponding expert report and being ancient vestiges, the CALL WAS MADE TO THE INAH for their rescue,” the institution said in a statement.

The specialists carried out the archaeological rescue of the site from May 16 to this Saturday.

A new archaeological site of the Aztatlán culture with burials of unique characteristics has been discovered in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, while paving and construction works were being done. 🦀⚓😯
Read more here: 👉 https://t.co/4NeGarP5od#ContigoEnLaDistancia #INAHVirtual pic.twitter.com/iU0NVN2Rek
— INAHmx (@INAHmx) May 28, 2022

The space of the works corresponds to a natural mound, located in an area of estuaries, whose surface was used in pre-Hispanic times to establish an occupation, explained archaeologist Víctor Santos, quoted in the bulletin.

The surface of the mound was covered with rammed shell waste, to build perishable constructions on top of it and under this floor human burials were placed, “one of them accompanied by an Aztatlán-style glass of excellent invoice,” added the expert.
“In Mazatlan, a burial of these characteristics had not been found: under a shell floor and accompanied by fine ceramics, because what is common in the region are burials inside pots,” Santos said.
This feature makes the discovery “relevant to the archaeology of the region,” said the INAH, so an agreement will be sought with the city of Mazatlan to protect the site as an archaeological reserve and resume excavations in the near future.
“The ceramics found are of excellent technical quality, located in the Acaponeta phase (900-1100/1200 d.C.),” Santos said.
The settlement was part of a broad culture that, according to INAH research in the state of Sinaloa, developed from the year 900 of our era.
This date “coincides with the time of greatest social, economic and political development of southern Sinaloa and northern (the state of) Nayarit, known in archaeological literature as Horizonte Aztatlán,” the institution explained.
Its experts consider that this would not be the only pre-Hispanic site, “and that it is very likely that throughout this area there is evidence of an important ancient settlement, still unknown.”
What we do at Animal Político requires professional journalists, teamwork, dialogue with readers and something very important: independence. You can help us keep going. Be part of the team.
Subscribe to Animal Político, receive benefits and support free journalism.#YoSoyAnimal

Original source in Spanish

Related Posts

Add Comment