Mexican archeologists find new pre-Hispanic conquest burial
www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-28 10:31:42
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mexican archeologists have discovered remains of a pre-Hispanic burial in the western city of Tamazula, authorities said Thursday.
They probably existed between the years 700 and 1200, said JuanJose Anzaldo, archeologist from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.
The find, including five skulls, some figurines and many ceramics parts, was discovered during a drainage network excavation in Tamazula, Anzaldo said.
"Some pieces were found complete but deteriorated due to the damp phreatic layer," he said.
One of the skulls had an obsidian knife of 42 centimeters in the palate, according to Anzaldo.
"We do not know if these people, apparently adults, were beheaded, perhaps during a ball game ritual," he said.
He said they also found five figurines with tripod bases, one griddle oven with a cover, three round pots, a couple of deep and thick pots, and a large amount of ceramics fragments.
"The pots could be from the Epiclasico (the Mesoamerican archeology period covering the years 700 to 900, from the end of Teotihuacan Empire to the Olmeca-Tolteca's migrations), while the griddle could be from the Early Posclasico (the years 900-1200, from the beginning of the last independent development period of the Mesoamerican cultures)," Anzaldo said.
The pieces will be restored and put on exhibition in Tamazula, Anzaldo added.
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century and the 300-year-long colonial period, Mexico was the site of several Mesoamerican civilizations lasting more than 3,000 years and including the Olmec and the Mayan.
Editor: Anne Tang
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/28/content_11957395.htm
