A group of Mexican archaeologists recently identified 14 pre-Hispanic objects in the Tlayócoc cave, located in the heart of the Sierra de Guerrero, Mexico. These artifacts are related to tlacotepehuas and are believed to be linked to fertility rites. The discovery was made by Adrián Beltrán, a Mexican guide, and Yekaretina Katiya Pavlova, a Russian speleologist, during an expedition initially focused on mapping the cave's galleries.
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The unexpected discovery
In September 2023, Beltrán and Pavlova, backpacking, entered the cave to map its tunnels. However, after traveling 150 meters and crossing a submerged passage, they found something much more interesting: an archaeological treasure hidden for centuries. In a remote cave in Mexico… The Tlayócoc cave, known for its natural resources such as water and guano used by local farmers, has revealed a secret that could expand our knowledge of ancient pre-Hispanic cultures.
What did they find?
Once they reached an internal chamber, Beltrán and Pavlova discovered two bracelets made of shells arranged on stalagmites. Pavlova, initially skeptical, thought they were modern junk, but as she got closer she realized she was in front of something extraordinary. “It was very exciting! An experience similar to discovering a well of over 300 m inside the cave. Here we were lucky”, the Russian speleologist commented. In addition to the bracelets, other objects were found, such as another bracelet, a large shell and fragments of black, mirror-like disks made of pyrite. Pavlova documented everything with photos and alerted local authorities to protect the site from possible looting.
Analysis and meaning
A team of experts from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) then registered the site in March, confirming the presence of 14 pre-Hispanic objects, including three shell bracelets, a bracelet fragment, a perforated and decorated giant snail shell, a fragment of charred wood, and the remains of stone disks. Experts noted that the stalagmites had been modified to round out their shape. The bracelets, decorated with symbols and anthropomorphic figures, suggest that the cave was a place of fertility rituals. “It is possible that the symbols and representations of characters on the bracelets are linked to the pre-Hispanic cosmogony relating to creation and fertility”, commented Cuauhtémoc Reyes, of the INAH Guerrero Center.
The discovery is of great importance for the understanding of pre-Hispanic cultures and their rituals. The objects are dated to the Postclassic period, between 950 and 1521 AD, a period in which the Tlacotepehua culture, a branch of the Tepuzteca, inhabited the region. “It was a branch of the Tepuzteca, an ancient group that lived in the sierra and was dedicated to metalworking, hence the name”, added archaeologist Pérez Negrete.
The discovery has raised great interest among scholars, confirming once again how Mexico is a country rich in history and mysteries yet to be revealed.
Article published on May 16, 2025 - 15:20 pm
It is very interesting the discovery that these archaeologists have made, but I wonder how it is possible that these objects have remained hidden for so long. It is a beautiful example of how archaeological research can reveal secrets of the past.