Archaeologists Discover New Ancient Treasures in Mexico

It seems like Mexico is always making news for its growing list of mind-blowing archaeological discoveries, which most recently include what may be the oldest known footprints in the Americas, as well as a treasure trove of new ancient Mayan artifacts and human remains.

The footprints were found running through the remote Coahuila valley of Cuatro Cienegas, which is mostly desert and lies just under 200 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas, in the U.S. Presumed to have been made by hunter-gatherers who lived in the area several thousand years ago, they may predate the Americas’ current oldest known footprints by at least two thousand years, although farther testing is still underway at a UK laboratory to confirm this.

“We believe (the footprints) are between 10,000 and 15,000 years old,” shared archaeologist Yuri De la Rosa Gutierrez of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History. “We have evidence of the presence of hunter-gatherers in the Coahuila desert more than 10,000 years ago.”

Currently, the oldest footprints discovered in the entire Western Hemisphere are in Chile, and have been dated back 13,000 years. Next in line are a variety of examples at around 6,000 years old found in the U.S., Brazil and Nicaragua. The world’s oldest known hominid footprints in the world are believed to exist in Africa, and were made more than 3.5 million years ago.

In addition, more than 20 submerged skeletons and other artifacts have been recovered from the Cenote Sac Uayum on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, not far from Cancun and the Rivera Maya, according to National Geographic Magazine. The cenote, or underwater cave, is still undergoing extensive exploration with support from the Waitt Foundation for Exploration and the National Geographic Society. The goal is to facilitate understanding and document the wealth of artifacts found in the cenote, which were left behind by the region’s ancient Mayan inhabitants, who believed the watery underworld was a type of gateway to the afterlife that was guarded by a large serpent.

“We have located 15 human crania and a large number of other bones, attesting to the use of the site as a burial location,” states Nat Geo grant recipient Bradley Russell. “Ceramic fragments from water jars and a plate show a mix of Preclassic and Postclassic Maya use of the cenote.”

It seems like Mexico is always making news for its growing list of mind-blowing archaeological discoveries, which most recently include what may be the . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • Where do foreigners come from and where do they live in MexicoMexico City Protest on July 5 Challenges Gentrification and Airbnb’s Impact on Housing Residents of Roma and Condesa will gather at Parque México on July 5 to protest gentrification, rising rents, and Airbnb’s effect on local housing. This Saturday, July 5, Mexico City will witness its first organized citizen protest against gentrification—a peaceful but urgent gathering taking place at 3:30 p.m. at the Lindbergh Forum in Parque México,…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • protests3Mexico City Protests: There is a fine line between anti-gentrification and xenophobia The line between anti-gentrification and racism is clear if you choose to see it: genuine activism targets policy and practice, not nationality or ethnicity. I have lived in Mexico for two decades, and I have never witnessed the level of anti-American sentiment that exists today. All of it is tied to the buzzword "gentrification," a…
  • puerto vallarta lettersPuerto Vallarta needs a new image to create meaningful reasons for travelers to visit Business leaders at Jalisco Tourism Secretariat forums stressed the need for renewing Puerto Vallarta image and diversifying attractions to appeal to national and international markets. Local business leaders and tourism specialists agreed this week that Puerto Vallarta needs a fresh look and a broader range of attractions to compete at home and abroad. In a…
  • José Luis Velázquez RodríguezSEAPAL Official Reported Missing in Puerto Vallarta Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have launched a search for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, SEAPAL's head of transparency, who has been missing since June 30. Family and officials are urging the public to report any information. Local authorities and civil protection units have launched a search operation for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, head of the Transparency…
  • puerto-vallarta-police-chase-bahia-de-banderasPuerto Vallarta police chase ends in deadly collision in Bahía de Banderas A Puerto Vallarta police chase along Highway 200 ended in a deadly collision in Bahía de Banderas, leaving two people dead. A high-speed chase that began in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and ended in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, left at least two people dead and raised new questions about police engagement and road safety in the…
  • protestProtest graffiti and smashed windows mars anti-gentrification rally in Mexico City Residents and activists joined an anti-gentrification rally in Mexico Park, but the anti-gentrification rally Mexico Park turned destructive as masked youths defaced local shops and broke windows. A rally against gentrification held yesterday in Mexico City’s Parque México drew residents from Juárez, Roma, Condesa and Hipódromo alongside local activists. Organizers billed it as the city’s…
  • mexico city real estateGentrification in Mexico City is not the reason for the high cost of housing City housing shortage, not gentrification, drives prices skyward as planning lags behind demand and foreigner influence remains minimal. High real estate costs in Mexico City stem from a deep and persistent housing shortage—exacerbated by land constraints, tangled regulations and speculative investment—rather than by the presence of foreign residents. Despite headlines blaming “gentrification,” foreign-born residents make…
  • no-damage-jalisco-hurricane-flossieNo Damage Reported in Jalisco as Hurricane Flossie Moves Away While Mexico's Weather Service predicted heavy rains, Hurricane Flossie causes no damage along Jalisco’s coast. The Category 3 storm brings light rain and moderate waves as it moves away from the region. The coasts of Jalisco remain calm and largely unaffected following the passage of Hurricane Flossie, a powerful Category 3 storm that is now…
Scroll to Top