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Mexican Archaeologists Just Unearthed a Humongous Mass Grave Filled With Mammoth Skeletons

by admin
Nov 8, 2019
artnet

Archaeologists in Mexico have unearthed a mammoth
discovery—literally.

More than 800 bones belonging to at least 14 mammoths were found
in what is believed to be a human-made pit dug some 15,000 years
ago. The excavation of a site in Tultepec, Mexico, revealed the
skeletons, which Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and
History described as “the largest find of its kind ever made.”

The pits measured around 80 feet in width, large enough to
contain the gigantic tusks and other skeleton fragments of the huge
creatures, which could weigh up to six tons.

According to researchers, one of the
skulls bore the mark of a spear wound, but most of the animals’
remains were fully intact, leading scholars to believe that hunters
chased the animals to the mass grave, perhaps scaring them with lit
torches, until they fell into the pit. Experts are now calling it
the “world’s first mammoth trap.”

Speaking to the Associated Press, the leader
of the excavation team, Luis Córdova Barradas, said there was
evidence that the area was home to around six herds of mammoths,
and with this discovery, there is finally “evidence of direct
attacks on mammoths. In Tultepec we can see there was the intention
to hunt and make use” of the animals.

The site was discovered as workers were clearing the area for a
planned garbage dump ahead of the construction of a new airport to
serve Mexico City under the government of president Manuel Lopez
Obrador.

See more pictures from the epic discovery below.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec, outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec,
outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National
Institute of Anthropology and History.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec, outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec,
outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National
Institute of Anthropology and History.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec, outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Mammoth bones discovered in Tultepec,
outside of Mexico City. Image courtesy of Mexico’s National
Institute of Anthropology and History.

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Wet Paint: The Biggest Flippers of the Fall Auctions, Warren Kanders Squares Off With the Whitney, & More Juicy Art-World Gossip

Nov 7, 2019
artnet

Every Thursday afternoon, Artnet News brings you Wet Paint, a gossip column of original scoops reported and written by Nate Freeman. If you have a tip, email Nate at nfreeman@artnet.com.   HE SCHUTZ, HE SCORES There are plenty of respectable consignors unloading works next week during New York’s auction bonanza. The estate of late Interview editor...

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A New Discovery About Pre-Historic Rock Art Suggests Ancient People Had Technology We Are Only Now Beginning to Catch Up To

Nov 22, 2019
artnet

The rock art around Babine Lake in the Canadian province of British Columbia positively pops with a startling red hue. It’s hard to believe that the more than 150 rock paintings have remained so well-preserved, in the open air, for thousands of years. It’s also surprising to learn that researchers haven’t studied how the ancient...

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