Archaeologists jab in a 1,000 - yr - quondam pre - Hispanic cemetery in Mexico ’s South Sonora have uncovered a series of skeletons featuring signs of cranial deformation . The practice session , which is well document among Mesoamerican people , has never been seen this far north before — a strong meter reading that their cultural influence was far more prominent than previously assumed .
The ancient burial ground , which is being excavated by Garcia Moreno on behalf of Arizona State University and the National Institute of Anthropology and History ( INAH ) , lie in of 25 individuals , 13 of which exhibit intentional cranial deformations .
Also name nous binding or forefront flattening , the practice was likely done to signify group affiliation or as a room to demonstrate social position . It may have also been seen as something aesthetically pleasing .
Many acculturation have practiced headland bind throughout account , even possibly the Neanderthals , and was typically carry out on infants ( as their skulls could be easily model ) . To create the effect , wooden boards were applied to the skull with press , typically start at the historic period of about one calendar month , and then for the next six month .
But as this raw discovery has give away , some cranial deformation did not go so well . Past Horizonsexplains :
Of the emaciated remains of 25 individuals recovered , 17 are between 5 months and 16 days and 8 are adult . The research worker take down that the number of infants and pre - pubescents name in the cemetery may be an index number of poor practice in regards to cranial contortion and death likely was due to inordinate force while press the skull . This she said , is derived from cogitation carry on the corpse and the results did not show any apparent diseases that could have stimulate death .
In addition to the discovery of head bond , some individuals exhibited dental mutilation — a cultural practice that ’s also common to pre - Hispanic groups in southern Sinaloa and northern Nayarit . Like the cranial deformation , archaeologists are seeing this for the first clip in Sonora .
The skeletons also wore ornament such as bangles , nose ring , earrings , and pendent made from shell found in the Gulf of California . One burial contained a polo-neck shell that was cautiously placed over the belly .
According to archeologist Cristina Garcia Moreno , manager of the research labor , “ This unique discovery shows a mix of traditions from unlike grouping of northern Mexico . The use of goods and services of ornaments made from sea shells from the Gulf of California had never been ground before in Sonoran dominion and this uncovering extends the terminus ad quem of influence of Mesoamerican peoples farther northwards than has been previously show . ”
Readmoreabout this noteworthy find at Past Horizons .
Images : INAH andVirtual Museum .
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