Ancient pre-Hispanic human remains have been discovered at the Antiguo Cuscatlan suburb of San Salvador. The skeletal remains were found face-down and preliminary estimates date them to around 850 B.C.
Archaeologists discovered the grave in a trench at the Pasaje 4 archaeological site under layers of volcanic ash deposits from various periods.
Among the findings, a human skeleton stands out, as well as a small Usulután ceramic vessel shaped like a sea turtle; two yucca cultivation furrows found under segments of ash from volcanic eruptions (from different periods), one from the Plan de la Laguna (850 BC) and another furrow under the eruption of the Ilopango Caldera Circa 431-539 CE.
The remains found were in a ventral position (face down) at 17 degrees east of north, and according to initial estimates, it may be a skeleton from 850 BC. In addition, it is believed that a similar number of remains to those found in Structure 3-7, in Chalchuapa, could be found in the area.
The burial was removed in a soil block so that the remains can be fully excavated in laboratory condition, preserving organic materials, even small traces, as much as possible. Archaeologists will radiocarbon date the remains in the hopes of narrow downing the burial date. They will also attempt to extract archaeological DNA for testing. If the estimates are confirmed, the discovery will be one of the oldest pre-Hispanic burials in Mesoamerica.
* This article was originally published here
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