Great Discoveries: Ancient Weapons Unearthed in Mexican Cave – WorthPoint

Exploring a cave is a great way to learn about the past. But sometimes, you have to travel into a cave’s furthest depths to make a discovery.

Consider the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) archaeologists who found an ancient spear and wooden darts inside a cave in Mexico, according to Ancient Origins.

After locating a cave 656 feet up from the bottom of a ravine, the archaeologists traveled inside through a narrow passage until they reached an underground area only 31.5 inches tall, where they made their discovery.

The weapons they found were likely used for hunting. The archaeologists indicated they were unsure how the weapons ended up in this spot. However, the dryness of the cave helped preserve the items for nearly two millennia, the archaeologists pointed out.

Following the discovery, absolute radiocarbon dating was performed on one of the darts. Results indicate the dart likely dates back to between 7 and 132 AD.

The weapons have been transferred to INAH’s Querétaro Center for further analysis. Taxonomic identification of the weapons’ wood construction and other studies will be completed. In addition, the weapons will be displayed at a permanent exhibition at the Regional Museum of Querétaro.

Moving forward, archaeologist Carlos Viramontes said the weapons may be viewed as part of the stories of Querétaro and Guanajuato. Here, men and women practiced hunting and gathering for 9,000 years. This is reflected in more than 260 rock art sites across these areas.

Those who want to see more ancient weapons can view thousands of examples in the WorthPoint Price Guide.

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Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website. 

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