SALTILLO.- A deep, hidden cave in Coahuila's Ocampo Protected Natural Area has yielded an extraordinary find: an ancient burial complex, at least 500 years old, belonging to the region's desert cultures. This significant archaeological rescue, led by specialists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), promises to shed new light on the lives of these nomadic peoples.
The discovery came after a citizen tip-off about looted bone remains, prompting a swift, collaborative effort between the INAH Coahuila Center and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp). "Both agencies are also working on a corresponding management plan for the site," noted Francisco Aguilar Moreno, director of INAH's state office.
Archaeologist Yuri de la Rosa Gutiérrez, aided by the Coahuila Speleology Association, found the nearly invisible entrance to the ancient mortuary chamber, a narrow opening concealed amidst the vast mountain landscape. After a tight, four-meter vertical descent, they navigated a crevice into a larger chamber. Another eight-meter drop led them to a small, semicircular space where human bone fragments were found mingled with ancient textiles, characteristic of the desert cultures.
"This is a pre-Hispanic mortuary cave typical of such desert sites," De la Rosa confirmed. He suspects that "the bodies were likely wrapped in textiles, forming burial bundles, accompanied by various objects and placed on the ground, possibly on baskets and mats. Unfortunately, the looting disturbed the context." Despite this, he remains optimistic that vital information about the hunter-gatherer societies of the pre-Columbian era will be recovered.
De la Rosa drew parallels between this new site and the renowned Cueva de la Candelaria, both featuring shafts leading to lower chambers. However, the newly found cave is located closer to the U.S. border. He also highlighted the ancient inhabitants' remarkable skill in crafting ropes of various thicknesses, essential for accessing these deep caves for their sacred burial rites.
Given the disturbance from past looting and unauthorized access, INAH made the decision to carry out a full archaeological rescue of the remains and cultural artifacts, ensuring their preservation. An initial on-site analysis by physical anthropologist Eva Zamarrón has already revealed 12 complete skulls, five of which belong to infants. In total, hundreds of bones from at least 17 individuals—men, women, children, and elders—were recovered. Fifteen textile fragments, representing four types of pre-Hispanic mats, were also found.
Beyond the academic insights, this rescue operation serves a crucial purpose: to restore dignity to a sacred burial ground that had been desecrated by looters.
The unearthed remains have been moved to the Regional Museum of La Laguna in Torreón, Coahuila, for cleaning, conservation, and detailed analysis. The newly discovered mortuary cave will also be added to INAH's national catalog of archaeological sites in Coahuila.
