Pre-Columbian cemetery discovered in southern Mexico

Pre-Columbian cemetery discovered in southern Mexico

2012-03-12 07:27:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

FRONTERA COMALAPA, Mexico (BNO NEWS) -- Authorities in southern Mexico have discovered the remains of at least 167 people in a cave which was apparently used as a cemetery in the pre-Columbian era, officials said on Sunday.

The remains were found on Friday in a cave at a remote ranch in Frontera Comalapa, a town in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Forensic experts initially believed the skeletons may have been from the early 20th century, triggering an investigation by state prosecutors and other departments.

But a later analysis revealed the skeletons date back to the pre-Columbian era, between 700 AD and 1200 AD, although it was not immediately known who they were. There were no obvious signs of violence, leading investigators to believe that the cave had been used as a cemetery.

Many of the skulls and other bones which were recovered from the site were mostly intact, but some were deformed due to cultural practices at the time, Chiapas state prosecutors said. Several pieces of clay, dating back to the same era, were also recovered at the site.

Forensic experts are examining the remains to determine the gender, age and possible causes of death.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-12