Excavations in the center of the Mexico City continues with the contribution of data about our precolonial past. On this occasion it was in Tlatelolco where a prehispanic burial and his respective offering.
The excavations were carried out by specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). These works were carried out by virtue of geotechnical studies carried out by the UNAM to stabilize the building Tlatelolco University Cultural Center (CCUT).
The relics found during these excavations highlighted a prehispanic child buriala canal from the early viceregal period and a garbage dump from the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Pre-Hispanic vestiges in Tlatelolco
A total of five wells were dug at strategic points around the CCUT perimeter, however, only three of them made important discoveries.
On her own, Arely Maldonado, the archaeologist who was in charge of the excavation, said that at the point near Ricardo Flores Magón avenue, a temple similar to the one Altar-Tzompantli of the Tlatelolco Archaeological Zone. The fragment that was excavated corresponds to the top of said building, which was verified by the arrangement of basalt and tezontle stones.
It is at this point that the prehispanic child burial which, according to the researchers, corresponds to a woman. They suppose this due to the objects that accompanied this offering: ceramic pieces and whorlswhose use was linked to the activities of women in the times prehispanic.
According to the ceramic style of a pot, a plate and a couple of bowls, it was determined that the burial took place around the 15th century (Late Aztec III period, between 1400 and 1521). The objects show the greatest refinement in terms of manufacturing due to the regular and fine lines of their decoration.
The Mexican archaeologist in charge of the excavations also pointed out that the infant probably belonged to the Tlatelolca elite. However, they hope that as the excavation progresses they will be able to recover the complete skeleton, which would provide more information about this offering.
other discoveries
On the other hand, in the area attached to the Artistic Liaison Unit of the CCUT, the archaeologist Javier Laue Padilla detected a channel 40 centimeters thick. According to the first appreciations, this apantle operated during the early colonial era (16th century).
Through this architectural work, water was distributed to the southern population of the already then “republic of indians“. The liquid came from the imperial box of the College of Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco.
The researchers highlighted that various pre-Hispanic construction materials were used in the construction of this canal, such as basalt slabs and tezontle faced stones. However, his pipe was made of ceramic.
Finally, to the west of the CCUT and south of the entrance to the area, a historic midden was recorded. Various miniature objects were found at this site, including ceramic soldiers and a worked bone cup.
There is no doubt that the splendor of our ancestors still rests under our feet and that as they are discovered, they continue to contribute pieces that allow us to know our identity as Mexicans.
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