Deep within a remote cave in Mexico’s state of Guerrero, a group of explorers stumbled upon an unexpected treasure trove of artifacts that have rewritten the history of a little-known culture.
The cave, known as Tlayócoc or “Cave of Badgers” to locals, had been sealed for centuries, with its entrance hidden from view. It was only when speleologist Katiya Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas ventured into the cave in September 2023 that they discovered the stunning array of artifacts.
“I looked in, and it seemed like the cave continued,” Pavlova said in a translated statement. “You had to hold your breath and dive a little to get through. That’s when we discovered the two rings around the stalagmites.”
The pair navigated the flooded cave with a gap of just 6 inches (15 centimeters) between the water and the cave ceiling, an experience that left Beltrán visibly shaken.
As they took a break to look around, Pavlova and Beltrán were shocked to discover 14 artifacts, including four shell bracelets, a giant decorated snail shell, two complete stone disks, six disk fragments, and a piece of carbonized wood. The discovery was met with excitement and amazement by the duo.
“It was very exciting and incredible!” Pavlova exclaimed. “We were lucky here.”
The arrangement of the bracelets, which had been looped over small, rounded stalagmites with phallic connotations, led archaeologists to speculate that fertility rituals were likely performed in Tlayócoc cave.
“For pre-Hispanic cultures, caves were sacred places associated with the underworld and considered the womb of the Earth,” INAH archaeologist Miguel Pérez Negrete said in a statement.
The artifacts have been dated to the Postclassic period of Mesoamerican history, between A.D. 950 and 1521, and are believed to be from the little-known Tlacotepehua culture that inhabited the region.
“It’s very likely that, because they were found in a close environment where humidity is fairly stable, the objects were able to survive for so many centuries,” Pérez said.
The discovery of these artifacts has shed new light on the history and traditions of this enigmatic culture, and serves as a testament to the enduring power of archaeology to uncover hidden secrets of the past.
Source: Live Science
