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Stunned 150 human skulls with teeth extracted from 1,000 years old in a cave

In 2012, about 150 human skulls were found in a cave in Chiapas, Mexico. Initially, the local police thought this was the scene of a murder. The skulls were found in an area known for violence and human trafficking. But after the investigation, experts confirmed that these victims are not new.

In the latest report on April 30, these skulls date from pre-Hispanic times, between 900 and 1200 AD. Most likely, these were the victims of ancient sacrificial rituals.

What is the reason that 150 human skulls have been extracted with teeth dating back 1,000 years in the cave - Photo 1.

Hundreds of human skulls with missing teeth were found in a cave in Mexico (Photo: Live).

Since the time of discovery, the remains have been taken out of the cave, to the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Here, the police and the National Institute of Anthropological History (INAH) began to cooperate in the investigation. Many early signs point to the dead from pre-Hispanic times.

After analysis, the team of experts identified human skulls dating back about 1,100 years, mostly adult women. Besides, there are the remains of 3 infants. But it is remarkable that all the skulls had all their teeth extracted.

Javier Montes de Paz, an INAH anthropologist involved in the dating process, said a “tzompantli” or “skull altar” once existed in the cave. Most of the remains in the cave are skulls or fragments of skulls. There are no complete skeletons left here.

The “tzompantli” is a wooden stand used by the Aztecs and other cultures of ancient Mesoamerica to display the skulls of sacrificial victims, experts explain. According to scholar Juanita Garciagodoy from the University of Macalesteresota, the victim’s head was stabbed through the temple and then placed on a stake. The team found traces of wooden stakes next to the skulls. Thereby providing more evidence of the existence of the “skull altar”.

What is the reason why 150 human skulls have been extracted with teeth dating back 1,000 years in the cave - Photo 2.

One of the skulls at the “skull altar” (Photo: News).

In fact, this is not the first time “skull altars” have been discovered in Chiapas. In the 1980s, 124 human skulls, all with missing teeth, were discovered in the Banquetas cave.

Similarly, in 1993, during the exploration of Devil’s Tapesco cave, five skulls were found on a wooden frame. Anthropologist Montes de Paz has stressed the need to continue excavating archaeological sites in the area, and recommends that anyone who sees a similar phenomenon contact local authorities.

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