New Archaeological Findings in Hidalgo and Mundo Soke Cave
Archaeologists working in the Mexican state of Hidalgo have uncovered at least 55 pictorial scenes across 25 archaeological sites, illustrating meetings with the ruler of the underworld. These images date from between 350 and 750 CE and reflect the ancient Mesoamerican communities’ beliefs about death and the supernatural. The findings were presented by archaeologist Alfonso Torres Rodríguez at the 10th International Colloquium hosted by Mexico's Ministry of Culture through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Key Patterns in Figure Arrangements
The scenes reveal four primary interaction layouts among the figures:
- One figure visiting another;
- A single figure meeting two entities;
- Two figures encountering one entity;
- A pair engaging with two other figures.
Geographically, depictions featuring two main characters are more common in the mountainous areas of eastern and southern Hidalgo, while scenes showing one protagonist with one or two entities tend to appear in the Mesquital Valley. Among the iconographic groups are the Tescatlipoca-Uemak-Yaotl complex, the Otontecutli-Tlotli-Mictlantecutli complex, and a set of ancestral imagery.
Paired figures in these scenes display contrasts in appearance, gender, roles, and symbolism, representing complementary identities such as masculine, warrior, and solar traits alongside feminine, sacrificial, lunar, and agricultural aspects.
A graphic syntagm is a combination of visual elements arranged in a recognizable structure to convey a specific narrative or meaning.
Alfonso Torres Rodríguez
In addition, INAH archaeologists documented 179 pre-Hispanic artifacts in the Mundo Soke cave, located in the municipality of Sitalapa, Chiapas. The cave lies near Arco del Tiempo, one of the world’s largest natural rock arches, situated in the canyon of the La Venta River. Thirteen ritual deposits found at the site date back to the Late Classic period (600–900 CE). The discovery of Mundo Soke cave is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds in Chiapas in recent decades.
These discoveries in Hidalgo and Mundo Soke cave highlight the vital role of archaeological research in deepening our understanding of the cultural and religious worldviews of Mesoamerican civilizations. Beyond expanding knowledge of ancient traditions, they also shed light on the interactions between different regions and cultural groups within Mexico’s rich historical tapestry.
These recent discoveries in Hidalgo highlight the rich tapestry of pre-Hispanic beliefs and practices. Similarly, archaeological efforts along the Maya Train route have uncovered significant ritual artifacts, shedding light on ancient traditions. To explore more about the fascinating findings of ritual objects found in Mexico, which provide further context to Mesoamerican spirituality, click here.