INAH finds 179 pre-Hispanic pieces in Chiapas cave

Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the discovery of 179 pre-Hispanic artifacts arranged in 13 offerings inside the Mundo Zoque cave in Chiapas, a site linked to the ancient Zoque culture's rain and harvest rituals. The objects, dated to the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), were found after local guide Jairo Díaz reported the site in January, with verification work carried out between February and June Source: Milenio, Infobae.

The discovery

The cave, located about 20 meters underground and stretching 100 meters, served as a ceremonial space where Zoque people sought rain and good harvests. Among the pieces are ceramic vessels, urns, and incense burners decorated with jaguars, owls, snakes, human figures, and ceiba spines. A standout is a 32-centimeter sahumador (incense burner) featuring a quincunce symbol and a serpent-shaped handle, which INAH director Joel Omar Vázquez Herrera called "an excellent, very beautiful piece representative of the Zoque culture" Source: Milenio, EFE via Infobae.

Context and significance

Archaeologists also found modified stalactites and stalagmites resembling human figures or the "earth monster's" jaws. Researcher Josuhé Lozada Toledo linked the offerings to a period of social upheaval, drought, and famine, when Zoque settlements were abandoned and caves became refuges and ceremonial sites Source: El Heraldo de México. The cave's difficult access helped preserve it from looting for centuries Source: EFE via Infobae.

Next steps

INAH plans LiDAR studies, 3D scanning, and analysis of charcoal remains to refine dating. The institute is coordinating with federal and state agencies to protect the site Source: Milenio, El Heraldo de México. This discovery adds to Mexico's more than 62,000 registered archaeological sites Source: Infobae.