Archaeologists in El Salvador have discovered the unusual burial of a human skeleton, buried about 3,000 years ago, along with a ceramic vessel in the shape of a sea turtle. The burial may be from a pre-Maya civilization in which human sacrifice was practiced.
According to a translation statement The burial was found in Antiguo Cuscatlán, a suburb of San Salvador, on July 2 during excavation work directed by El Salvador’s Ministry of Culture. carlos flores manzanoAn archaeologist and doctoral student at Yale University.
Although the skeleton is no more radiocarbon-dated Nevertheless, it was discovered under a layer of ash from the volcanic eruption Plan de la Laguna volcanic crater is considered to be between 830 BC, during the Middle Preclassic period (about 1000 to 400 BC) in Mesoamerica.
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A ceramic vessel in the shape of a sea turtle was found in the grave.
(Image credit: El Salvador Ministry of Culture)
During this period, societies in southeastern Mesoamerica were becoming more sedentary Archaeologists have found that more complex cultures are developing. But in addition to the archaeological remains of crop cultivation and painted ceramics discovered over the years in Antigua Cuscatlán, experts have pointed to some burials as evidence of human sacrifice – and newly uncovered graves may also be similar.
In the late 1970s, archaeologist William R. Fowler dug here ChalchuapaAn ancient city east of Antigua Cuscatlán with thousands of years of history. While excavating an area called Structure E3-7, Fowler found 33 human skeletons – the majority of which were adult males. interpreted as sacrifice Due to signs of prisoners of war having their feet and hands tied.
The burial was covered with plaster to prevent damage during recovery.
(Image credit: El Salvador Ministry of Culture)
The newly uncovered burial is likely not the only one in the area, according to a statement from El Salvador’s Ministry of Culture. Archaeologists may eventually find a burial mound containing several dozen skeletons, as Fowler discovered in Chalchuapa. However, Fowler’s interpretation of human sacrifice has been questioned in recent years, including by Flores Manzano 2020 study.
Flores Manzano suggests that rather than being linked to sacrifice, the unusual burial position may be related to ancient understandings of the universe and the underworld. diario el salvador. If that’s the case, the sea turtle ceramic vessel found near the skeleton’s hand may be connected to the Orion Belt, which appears in later Maya astronomy as part of a sacred journey.
The fragile burial was encased in plaster before being removed for further study. Flores Manzano said the skeleton will now be chemically analyzed so researchers can learn more about the individual’s lifestyle, diet and possible cause of death. He expects the analysis to take about a year, after which the results will be announced to the public.
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