Latest news with #Postclassic
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Volunteers find ancient Mayan pottery in an extensive cave system in Mexico
Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered ancient Mayan pottery in a cave system a little more than 10 miles away from downtown Playa de Carmen. Members of Mexico's Cenotes Urbanos organization found a large globular pot while exploring Zumpango Cave and reported the discovery to officials, according to an April 21 news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Citizen scientists and volunteers with the Cenotes Urbanos organization preserve caves throughout the Yucatán Peninsula to facilitate documentation and conservation of these often archaeologically-significant environments. Archaeologists said the pot is estimated to be between 575 and 825 years old, dating back to the Late Postclassic period before Europeans arrived in the Americas, according to the release. The 'Classic Period' of Mayan civilization lasted from about 250 to 900 and was followed by the 'Postclassic Period,' which lasted from about 900–1519, according to Britannica. Mayan settlements and cities on the Yucatán continued to prosper during this period, experts said. The pot, found in an alcove used as a shelf, was mostly intact with two opposing handles but appeared to be missing its neck and parts of the rim, according to the release. Although the pot had calcified buildup on its exterior, experts said a painted black geometric motif was visible. Archaeologists said the pot will be cleaned and studied to determine its exact age and other defining characteristics that may offer clues about its use and origin. Zumpango Cave is part of the Garra de Jaguar system and features ground-to-ceiling columns of speleothems, or stalagmites and stalactites, according to experts. Archaeologists Peter Sprouse, José Antonio Reyes Solís and Enrique Terrones González were involved in the artifact's recovery and documentation, according to the release. Translate GPT was used to translate the news release from the the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
Miami Herald
18-04-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
What lies in hidden passage of Mexico cave — and four other mysteries solved
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Throughout history, cultures have left behind a trail of breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past. Here are some of the latest discoveries: Prehistoric mammoth-ivory artifacts challenge experts to explain their use In western Ukraine, archaeologists uncovered mammoth ivory artifacts dating back around 400,000 years near Medzhybizh. These ivory pieces, showing signs of intentional modification, may represent the earliest evidence of deliberate ivory processing, possibly crafted by children as imitations of tools. The discovery raises questions about the purpose of these artifacts, as ivory is less durable than stone for toolmaking. | Published April 10 | Read More | Cave guide enters unknown passage for first time — and helps make ancient discovery In the Guerrero mountains of southern Mexico, cave guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas and Russian speleologist Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova discovered a hidden room in Tlayócoc cave. They found centuries-old artifacts, including shell bracelets and stone discs, linked to the Tlacotepehua ethnic group from the Postclassic period. These artifacts, found in a cave considered part of the underworld, may be connected to ideas of creation and fertility. | Published April 11 | Read More | Ancient military tomb — with ceiling of murals — discovered in China. See inside In Linfen, China, archaeologists uncovered a Yuan Dynasty tomb with a domed ceiling adorned with murals. The tomb, belonging to Lieutenant Liu, contained human remains, grave goods, and inscriptions detailing Liu's life as a commander. This discovery provides insight into the burial practices and artistic expressions during the Mongol rule in China. | Published April 14 | Read More | 175-year-old theory about riverside ruins in Austria turns out to be true In eastern Austria, the ruins known as 'Ödes Schloss' were confirmed to be a Roman bridgehead fort, validating a 175-year-old theory. Excavations revealed well-preserved Roman ruins, including walls and artifacts like bricks stamped with Roman military units. This find is the first of its kind in Austria and sheds light on Roman military strategies and their influence in the region. | Published April 16 | Read More | Shepherd finds bones sticking out of hill in Romania. It was an ancient grave In Urlați, Romania, a shepherd named Cosmin Florin Dumitrache discovered an ancient grave exposed by a landslide on Vârful Scoruș hill. The grave, dating back about 5,000 years to the early Bronze Age, contained the well-preserved remains of an adult male buried with a possible stone ax and ceramic pieces. This discovery adds to Dumitrache's history of finding ancient remains, as he previously uncovered medieval bones in 2024. | Published April 16 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of intriguing archaeological discoveries from around the globe. Check back to see the latest finds.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Explorers Found a Cave Filled With Evidence of a Lost Civilization
Explorations of a submerged passage in the Tlayococ cave in Mexico led to an undiscovered room. Within the room, cave explorers discovered bracelets sitting atop stalagmites and other artifacts from a lost civilization. The motif on the shell bracelets traces to the extinct Tlacotepehuas ethnic group, about which relatively little is known. A mapping expedition in the Tlayócoc cave in Mexico led a professional cave explorer to a hidden chamber containing shocking evidence of an extinct civilization. Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova ventured to a community in the Sierra de Guerrero to further map the Tlayócoc cave. When Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas reached the bottom of the cave, having already explored all that was mapped, they opted to head into an unknown passage through a submerged entrance. The effort paid off. The passage led to a previously unseen room in which two engraved shell bracelets sat atop stalagmites, likely as an offering, according to a translated statement from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The explorers also found another bracelet, a giant snail shell, and pieces of black stone discs similar to pyrite mirrors—all of it dated to more than 500 years ago. Archaeologists then descended on the cave, uncovering 14 total objects—three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a piece of burnt wood, and pieces of eight stone discs (two of which were complete). Each of the bracelets were made from snail shells—likely a marine species—and were engraved with anthropomorphic symbols and figures. The bracelets feature S-shaped symbols known as xonecuilli, zigzagging lines,a and circles to create human faces in profile. These designs could be meant to signify deities. The archaeologista estimate that the items were left in the cave during the Postclassic period between 950 and 1521 A.D.—a time when the area was known to be populated by the now-extinct Tlacotepehaus ethnic group. 'This finding is of great relevance, since, with the study of the contextual relationship of the pieces of the cave, we can interpret symbolic notions, cultural aspects, manufacturing, and even trade,' Miguel Perez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement, 'to characterize the pre-Hispanic societies settled in the Sierra de Guerrero.' The archaeologists determined that the stalagmites were manipulated in pre-Hispanic times to give them a more spherical finish, likely to better fit with ritual needs. 'Possibly the symbols and representations of characters on the bracelets are related to pre-Hispanic cosmogony regarding creation and fertility,' Cuauhtemoc Reyes Alvarez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement. He added that the sealed context allows experts to understand how the ancient inhabitants may have conceived of these caves—as portals to the underworld, or as sacred spaces connected to the Earth and the divine. The black stone discs resemble others from nearby archaeological regions, such as El Infiernillo, along with ones from distant cultures like Huasteca. Historical reports say extreme cold forced people groups living in the Sierra de Guerrero (located over 7,850 feet above sea level and filled by dense pine and oak forests) to lower altitudes. Little is known about the Tlacotepheuas, other than 16th century historical mentions of their presence. The snail-shell bracelets could help tell their story. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Explorers Found a Hidden Chamber in a Cave Filled with Remnants of a Lost Civilization
Explorations of a submerged passage in the Tlayococ cave in Mexico led to an undiscovered room. Within the room, cave explorers discovered bracelets sitting atop stalagmites and other artifacts from a lost civilization. The motif on the shell bracelets traces to the extinct Tlacotepehuas ethnic group, about which relatively little is known. A mapping expedition in the Tlayócoc cave in Mexico led a professional cave explorer to a hidden chamber containing shocking evidence of an extinct civilization. Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova ventured to a community in the Sierra de Guerrero to further map the Tlayócoc cave. When Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas reached the bottom of the cave, having already explored all that was mapped, they opted to head into an unknown passage through a submerged entrance. The effort paid off. The passage led to a previously unseen room in which two engraved shell bracelets sat atop stalagmites, likely as an offering, according to a translated statement from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The explorers also found another bracelet, a giant snail shell, and pieces of black stone discs similar to pyrite mirrors—all of it dated to more than 500 years ago. Archaeologists then descended on the cave, uncovering 14 total objects—three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a piece of burnt wood, and pieces of eight stone discs (two of which were complete). Each of the bracelets were made from snail shells—likely a marine species—and were engraved with anthropomorphic symbols and figures. The bracelets feature S-shaped symbols known as xonecuilli, zigzagging lines,a and circles to create human faces in profile. These designs could be meant to signify deities. The archaeologista estimate that the items were left in the cave during the Postclassic period between 950 and 1521 A.D.—a time when the area was known to be populated by the now-extinct Tlacotepehaus ethnic group. 'This finding is of great relevance, since, with the study of the contextual relationship of the pieces of the cave, we can interpret symbolic notions, cultural aspects, manufacturing, and even trade,' Miguel Perez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement, 'to characterize the pre-Hispanic societies settled in the Sierra de Guerrero.' The archaeologists determined that the stalagmites were manipulated in pre-Hispanic times to give them a more spherical finish, likely to better fit with ritual needs. 'Possibly the symbols and representations of characters on the bracelets are related to pre-Hispanic cosmogony regarding creation and fertility,' Cuauhtemoc Reyes Alvarez, INAH archaeologist, said in a statement. He added that the sealed context allows experts to understand how the ancient inhabitants may have conceived of these caves—as portals to the underworld, or as sacred spaces connected to the Earth and the divine. The black stone discs resemble others from nearby archaeological regions, such as El Infiernillo, along with ones from distant cultures like Huasteca. Historical reports say extreme cold forced people groups living in the Sierra de Guerrero (located over 7,850 feet above sea level and filled by dense pine and oak forests) to lower altitudes. Little is known about the Tlacotepheuas, other than 16th century historical mentions of their presence. The snail-shell bracelets could help tell their story. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Miami Herald
11-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Cave guide enters unknown passage for first time — and makes ancient discovery
In the Guerrero mountains of southern Mexico, young cave guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas met up with Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova in the fall of 2023. Pavlova is a Russian speleologist, or a scientist studying caves, and she was on a mission to map caves in the region. But, she needed the help of a local who knew the rocky caverns inside and out. The two joined forces to enter Tlayócoc cave, a system that had been explored before, according to an April 9 news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. They quickly reached the bottom of the cave, archaeologists said, but then noticed a submerged passageway. The unknown tunnel had never been explored before, so the two cavers decided to take a leap of faith. The passage led to another room — with centuries-old artifacts inside. Dimas and Pavlova discovered two shell bracelets with engraved images, or motifs, that were set into the stalagmites, or towering stone pillars built up from the bottom of the cave, archaeologists said. They also found pieces of a third bracelet, a giant snail shell and scattered black stone discs, according to the release. The cavers immediately alerted local officials, and archaeologists were called to re-enter the cave in March. Dimas once again guided the archaeologists into the cave and down into the hidden room, where the experts noticed the stalagmites had been retouched in pre-Hispanic times, making them a more rounded shape than the pointed conical shape they form naturally, according to the release. In total, archaeologists recovered 14 objects showing the use of the cave by earlier cultures: three shell bracelets, one bracelet fragment, the giant snail shell, a burned piece of wood and eight stone discs, both complete and fragmented, according to the release. The bracelets are engraved with symbols and human-like figures, including S-shaped symbols, zigzag lines, circles and the faces of characters, archaeologists said. Pavlova shared images of the site from the initial discovery, allowing archaeologists to better understand how each piece was left before it was moved, as well as her cave maps. The pieces were dated to the Postclassic period, between 950 and 1521 AD, making the artifacts anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years old, archaeologists said. The imagery on the bracelets is similar to historical sources from the 16th century, belonging to the Tlacotepehua ethnic group, a culture that has since disappeared, according to the release. Caves were considered part of the underworld and the Earth's womb, archaeologists said, meaning these artifacts may be connected to ideas of creation and fertility. Some of the bracelets also have some similarity to other cultures in the Guerrero mountains and more distant regions, archaeologists said. The nearby community of Carrizal de Bravo was first settled by nomadic cattle herders who lived at such a high elevation that about a century ago, they moved their settlement to a lower altitude where they still live today, according to the release. There is very little known about their history and early culture, archaeologists said. Carrizal de Bravo is in southwestern Mexico, about a 200-mile drive southwest from Mexico City. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
