A remarkable archaeological discovery has emerged from the depths of a cave in Mexico, where researchers have uncovered artifacts linked to a vanished civilization—shedding new light on ancient spiritual practices and forgotten peoples.
The breakthrough occurred during a mapping expedition in Tlayócoc Cave, nestled in the Sierra de Guerrero mountains. Spearheading the mission was professional cave explorer Yekaterina Katiya Pavlova, who journeyed to the remote area to expand the known map of the cavern system. Alongside her local guide, Adrián Beltrán Dimas, Pavlova pushed beyond the previously charted zones and ventured through a submerged entrance into an unexplored passage.
What they found exceeded all expectations.
A Hidden Chamber and a Sacred Offering
The passage led to a concealed chamber, untouched by human presence for centuries. There, affixed to stalagmites, were two intricately carved shell bracelets—likely left as ritual offerings. According to a statement from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), these artifacts hint at ceremonial activities within the cave.
But the discovery didn’t stop there. The team also uncovered a third bracelet, a massive snail shell, and fragments of black stone discs resembling pyrite mirrors—all dating back more than 500 years.
When archaeologists descended to the site for further investigation, they documented a total of 14 objects: three complete shell bracelets, one bracelet fragment, the large snail shell, a charred piece of wood, and fragments of eight stone discs, two of which were fully intact.
Symbols of a Forgotten Belief System
The bracelets, believed to be made from marine snail shells, were engraved with striking anthropomorphic imagery and symbols. Among the motifs were S-shaped figures known as xonecuilli, zigzag lines, and circles that form stylized human profiles. These may have represented deities or mythological beings.
Experts estimate the artifacts date to the Postclassic period, between 950 and 1521 CE—a time when the region was inhabited by the now-extinct Tlacotepehua ethnic group.
“This discovery is highly significant,” said INAH archaeologist Miguel Perez. “By studying the contextual relationship between the objects, we can interpret symbolic meanings, cultural practices, craftsmanship, and even trade networks.”
Further analysis revealed that the stalagmites had been deliberately modified in pre-Hispanic times, shaped into more spherical forms to suit ritual needs.
A Portal to the Sacred
According to Cuauhtémoc Reyes Álvarez, another INAH archaeologist involved in the research, the engraved figures and symbols likely relate to pre-Hispanic cosmogony—particularly themes of creation and fertility. “The sealed nature of the chamber allows us to understand how ancient people may have viewed these caves—as gateways to the underworld or sacred spaces tied to the earth and divine realms,” he noted.
The black stone discs found at the site closely resemble others discovered in nearby archaeological zones such as El Infiernillo, as well as more distant cultures like the Huasteca.
Clues to a Vanished People
Historical records suggest that extreme cold in the Sierra de Guerrero—rising over 7,850 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level and cloaked in dense oak and pine forests—may have driven inhabitants to lower elevations. Very little is known about the Tlacotepehua people beyond a few scattered 16th-century references to their existence.
Now, thanks to this extraordinary cave find, researchers have a rare opportunity to piece together the beliefs, artistry, and lifeways of a lost civilization—one that once saw caves not merely as natural formations, but as sacred thresholds between worlds.
