An ancient settlement, potentially dating back over 1,300 years, has been uncovered in Mexico.

Archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) made this remarkable discovery in the Costa Grande region of Guerrero state, located along the Pacific coast in the southwest of the country.

Spread across approximately 29 hectares (72 acres) of communal land, the settlement’s existence was brought to light when locals alerted researchers to the presence of several mounds, believed to be of pre-Hispanic origin.

Over a three-day surface survey, INAH researchers documented 26 minor mounds, with an additional aerial overview of the site, Newsweek reported.

These smaller mounds are arranged around a central mound towering approximately 82 feet high, with dimensions of 241 by 197 feet at its base.

Within the site, archaeologists identified significant structures like altars and water storage facilities. The location holds strategic importance, situated near the Tecpan River’s eastern bank and the Tetitlán lagoon.

Elongated structures hint at the presence of squares, residential zones, and even ballgame courts. Stelae—upright stone slabs often serving as gravestones in antiquity—were also found, bearing inscriptions or illustrations.

Ceramic artifacts recovered from the surface were crucial for determining the settlement’s occupation period. These materials suggest habitation spanning from the Classic period (A.D. 200-650) to the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1200-1521) period of Mesoamerican history.

Drawing from historical records dating to the 16th century, the site may correspond with the settlement of Apancalecan, as indicated by the Matrícula de Tributos, a 16th-century manuscript recording tributes to the Aztec Empire.

Written by staff