Theft in one of Mexico's cenotes

Listen to this article A skeleton about 10,000 years old and belonging to a representative of America’s first inhabitants has disappeared from one of the diving caves on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Archaeologists are shocked and are appealing for the remains to be returned as soon as possible. The looted remains are a skeleton popularly known

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: April 27, 2012 - 06:26

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 05:46

Listen to this article

A skeleton about 10,000 years old and belonging to a representative of America’s first inhabitants has disappeared from one of the diving caves on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Archaeologists are shocked and are appealing for the remains to be returned as soon as possible.

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The looted remains are a skeleton popularly known as Young Hol Chan II, which was discovered in 2010. In the same cenote, another skeleton about 10,000 years old and named Young Hol Chan was discovered in 2006.

The remains of both representatives of the first Americans were buried in this place, at a time when the water level in the cave was much lower. Today, what was once a dry chamber has been filled with water reaching up to 8m.

In addition to human remains, archaeologists also discovered the remains of elephants, giant sloths and other animals at the same site. This has given an idea of the menu that prevailed among the progenitors of our species on this continent.

Researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City, are aware that such abhorrent cases of theft are not isolated, but the lack of resources and support from the relevant institutions makes them powerless to protect cultural heritage.

Source: newscientist.com
Photo: Kurt Amsler – Rolex Awards

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.