Every artifact has a unique story to tell, and each one adds a piece to the puzzle of our collective history. From pottery to weapons, jewelry to manuscripts, every discovery has the potential to rewrite history and challenge our current understanding of the past. For archaeologist Sergio Gomez, a decade-long excavation yielded incredible results.

The priests placed these artifacts in the tunnel over two millennia ago, and the significance of these ancient relics is immeasurable. Despite the long period spent on this excavation, Gomez remains thoroughly committed to understanding the historical and cultural significance behind these sacred objects.

This place was (at one time) the most inhabited urban center in the Americas. Now, it is a renowned tourist destination located just beyond the Mexico City we know today.

These range from intricately crafted statues and jewelry to ceramics and shells. The team also found thousands of well-preserved metallic and wooden objects that have stood the test of time.

These artifacts were discovered within the 330-foot tunnel that culminates in three separate chambers situated directly beneath the pyramid’s midpoint. They are believed to be ceremonial offerings.

The ornament is the first of its kind to be discovered in Teotihuacan, and it gleamed similar to molten lava in the light. Gomez suspects it may have hung from a priest’s neck, given its tiny top and internal residue that requires further analysis, which he speculates could be tobacco.

He went on to explain that the chambers, which are around 40 feet below the surface and tall enough to walk through in most places, were constructed to mesmerize individuals. The floor and walls were covered in finely ground iron pyrite, also called fool’s gold, because of its similarity to the real metal.

He also explained that the priests would have seen the walls shimmer as they moved through the space with a torch. The area, which has never been robbed and remains damp, was utilized for over two centuries until 250 to 300 A.D., as determined by scientific dating.

The metropolis housed as many as 200,000 inhabitants, most of whom resided in multi-family dwellings made of stone and adorned with vibrant murals. It had become a religious center for the people in the Mexican Highlands and one of the most populated places in the region.

The Aztecs dominated northern Mexico during this time before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, gaining power in the region for approximately 800 years following the collapse of Teotihuacan. Just like the people before them, they held the ruins in high esteem.

The priests had fastidiously positioned 17 shell layers atop one another. The lowermost layers were crushed. Gomez clarified that this was likely due to the priests stepping on the shells themselves – perhaps as part of a ceremony.

In certain instances, skin and hair may be preserved for thousands of years if the conditions are optimal. For example, if the remains are frozen, dried, or buried in acidic soil, they may remain well-preserved.

The Teotihuacan storm god, also known as Tlaloc, was a significant deity in the Teotihuacan civilization. Tlaloc was associated with rain, fertility, and agriculture and was believed to have the power to bring life to crops.

The significance of the crocodile in Teotihuacan culture is not entirely clear. However, it is believed that crocodiles were regarded as a symbol of power and strength due to their ferocity and ability to survive in diverse environments.

Ancient people in the region often used canoes and rafts to transport goods by water and llamas and other animals to transport goods over land. They also built roads and trails for easier transport of goods.

It is possible that the Teotihuacan people kept jaguar and puma skulls as they were considered sacred in their culture. However, it’s also possible that they were used for ritualistic or ceremonial purposes.

Creating 3D digital reconstructions of ancient artifacts involves several steps. A team must capture data, create a digital model, refine the model using color, texture, and other details, and publish it to share online.

The priests then sat a heap of wood and bunches of nopal seeds, corn, and chile on top of the flowers, in addition to a small stone carving of the pyramid. Certain flowers were of great significance to the Teotihuacan people.

It’s possible to date ancient burnt timber through a scientific technique called dendrochronology or tree-ring dating, which looks at the pattern of tree rings in a sample of wood. This technique can provide precise dates for wood up to thousands of years old.

Unfortunately, the significance of flowers to the Teotihuacan people is not fully understood and will require more unearthing to gain insight. However, discovering intact plant remains at the site provides valuable insights into the ancient civilization’s use of plants and their cultural practices, a huge step forward for Gomez.

In Aztec culture, flowers were used for various purposes, including religious ceremonies, medicine, and decoration. By studying these ancient plant remnants, researchers can shed light on the rich and complex culture of the Teotihuacan people and their relationship with the natural world.

By analyzing these objects, we can learn about daily routines, beliefs, and customs. Gomez notes how discovering these objects has made him feel “close to the people who were there.”