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New artifacts give clues about life, death in ancient city


November 04, 2014

A recent excavation led by Sergio Gomez of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History revealed numerous artifacts and three new chambers at the ancient site of Teotihuacan.

As reported in the Digital Journal and International Business Times, the finds include jade statues, pieces of human skin, a carved box, shells and a rubber ball.

Arizona State University professor emeritus George Cowgill was asked to comment for the articles. He suggested, “These could be funerary offerings, but I wonder if they might be remains of a huge feast – a feast that might have been part of a great funerary and sacrificial ceremony, especially considering the large number of rather plain jars.”

The chambers are located at the end of a tunnel discovered around a decade ago beneath the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. Their excavation is ongoing and may take up to a year. Gomez’s team hopes to locate more artifacts and, based on the notable location, possibly a royal burial site.

Such finds help shape our understanding of the ancient metropolis that flourished and mysteriously ended long before the advent of the Aztec Empire.

Cowgill is the founding director of the ASU Teotihuacan Research Laboratory. Located near the site, northeast of Mexico City, it is overseen by the School of Human Evolution and Social Change in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Article source: International Business Times

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