Deep within the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, an unexpected discovery has shed new light on a previously unknown Mesoamerican culture: the Tlacotepehua people. Researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered a possible intact ritual deposit in Tlayócoc Cave, dating back around 500 years. The discovery is set to revolutionize our understanding of the cultural practices and rituals of this enigmatic group.
Tlayócoc Cave, located in Carrizal de Bravo, Guerrero, was first explored by Russian speleologist Yekaterina Kátiya Pavlova and local guide Adrián Beltrán Dimas. The cave’s remote location led them to believe that the archaeological materials were intentionally deposited for ritual or ceremonial purposes.
The INAH confirmed the discovery of 14 pre-Hispanic objects, including three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, a giant snail shell, a burned piece of wood, and eight stone discs. The shell bracelets feature engravings of symbols such as zigzag lines, circles, and faces in profile. The stone discs, similar to pyrite mirrors, have perforations at their ends.
The context of the deposit is remarkable, with no signs of looting or disturbance since its original placement. This level of integrity makes the collection a time capsule, providing an unprecedented scientific opportunity for studying Tlacotepehua cultural practices.
Researchers estimate that the objects were deposited between 950 and 1521 AD, during the Postclassic period. Although a definitive connection to the Tlacotepehua ethnic group has not been established, the discovery suggests a possible relationship due to temporal and geographical coincidence.
The Tlacotepehuas are part of the complex ethnic and linguistic mosaic of southeastern Mexico, with their language belonging to the Totonac-Tepehua stock. To date, archaeology has paid little attention to this culture, partly due to the lack of sites clearly associated with it.
Preliminary interpretations suggest that the objects were related to rituals linked to fertility and creation, possibly connected to the Mesoamerican worldview of the underworld. The discovery also hints at a connection between the planet Venus and the Tlacotepehuas’ cosmology.
The impact of this discovery is significant, poised to become a key reference for studying poorly documented indigenous cultures. The INAH plans to implement a campaign in the town to promote awareness and preservation of biocultural heritage, as well as studies on the state of conservation of the artifacts found.
This intact ritual complex reminds us that the great Mesoamerican civilizations were not the only bearers of complex knowledge and rituals. Through discoveries like this, the cultural map of ancient Mexico is expanded, incorporating voices and practices that had remained on the margins of the historical narrative.
Source: Muy Interesante
