“Yotzin” a 10,000-Year-Old Prehistoric Skeleton Discovered in the State of Mexico

Archaeologists have recently discovered a prehistoric human skeleton in the Valley of Mexico dating back at least 10,000 years, making it the oldest specimen from the region.

During the construction of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), in Santa Lucía, Municipality of Zumpango, State of Mexico, the remains of an individual from more than 10,000 years ago, called “Yotzin”, were discovered.

This discovery, made by a multidisciplinary team from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) under the direction of archaeologist Rubén Manzanilla López, is significant because it is the first discovery of preceramic human remains in the Basin of Mexico since 1984.

“Yotzin”, an almost complete skeleton in a flexed position with an elongated skull and severely worn teeth, suggests using teeth as tools.

Preliminary studies indicate that it belonged to a hunter-gatherer from the end of the Pleistocene.

This discovery, which includes carbon 14 analysis to confirm its age, offers a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge of the region’s first inhabitants and their way of life.

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Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have named the prehistoric human remains “Yotzin,” which means “unique” in the Nahuatl, or Aztec, language.

According to a press release published by the INAH, the team believes that the remains belong to a hunter-gatherer male who was between 25 to 30 years old at the time of death.

For instance, the “Yotzin” is around 5.74 feet in height, whereas the average height of the pre-Hispanic remains is usually 5.25 to 5.41 feet.

González also noted that “‘Yotzin’ is a robust skeleton, with a lot of bone mass,” and pointed out that both the upper and lower part of the jaw have “severe wear and tear.”

Academic Support Branch, Flores Díaz and Cázares Rodríguez, the burial could be located among the records of the first settlers of the Mexico Basin.”

Academic Support Branch, Flores Díaz and Cázares Rodríguez, the burial could be located among the records of the first settlers of the Mexico Basin.”

According to Quintero, the layer in which the prehistoric human remains were found seemingly dates back to the interglacial period, around 13,000 to 20,000 years ago, making ‘Yotzin’ the oldest find of its kind from the Valley of Mexico.

Before this discovery, the title of the oldest prehistoric skeleton from the region belonged to the 10,500-year-old skull of a prehistoric human skull in Chimalhuacán, Mexico, discovered back in 1984.

Source: INAH

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