Ancient Cave Art Unearthed in Northeastern Mexico

In northeastern Mexico, archaeologists found ancient paintings on the walls of caves before Spanish rule. (Photo : Reuters)

In northeastern Mexico, archaeologists found ancient paintings on the walls of caves before Spanish rule. Livescience.com reported that the art shows evidence of native cultures that lived in the area around Sierra de San Carlos which is a mountain range in Tamaulipas.

There wer almost 5,000 paintings found in the region. "Created with red, yellow, black and white pigments, the images show animals from deer to lizards to centipedes, as well as people. Depictions of tents, hunting, fishing and possibly?astronomical charts?also offer a glimpse into the life of this mysterious culture," reported Livescience.com.

Archaologist Gustvao Ramirez from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a press release that the discovery shows the presence of pre-Hispanic groups, "where before it was said that there was nothing, when in fact it was inhabited by?one or more cultures."

The Agence France Presse reported that researchers will try to find out the age of the artwork by using chemical and radiocarbon analyses. The colors they used were made using organic dyes and minerals said the INAH press release.

"We have not found any ancient objects linked to the context, and because the paintings are on ravine walls and in the rainy season the sediments are washed away, all we have is gravel," added Ramirez, reported LiveScience.com.

The History Channel said on its website that there may have been nomadic tribes as far back as 6000 BC in Tamaulipas. Then between 1445 and 1466 Aztec armies conquered a lot of the region.

"These tribes of primitive men, women and children resembled wandering gypsies except for the fact that they remained fixed in a natural niche within the boundaries of which they had freedom of movement. They escaped the greedy and authoritarian clutches of the gold-diggers who had arrived from across?the?Atlantic,
?reported I4UNews.com.

The findings were presented ?recently during the Second Conference of Archaeological History in Mexico City.

Source: http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/6414/20130528/ancient-cave-art-unearthed-northeastern-mexico.htm

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