Mixtecs used cremation longer than we thought

An ancient Mexican cemetery contains evidence that the Mixtec Indians performed many funeral rituals, including the burial process about 3,000 years ago.

According to regional researchers, the finding is the oldest evidence that Mixtecs used this funeral rite, then used for Mixtec kings and Aztec emperors. Evidence from this area shows that the Mixtec aristocratic elite appeared around 1100 BC. In addition, the ritual also revealed that dogs played an important role in part of the Mixtec aristocracy.

According to the lead author of the study, William Duncan, an anthropologist at the University of St. Louis. John Fisher in Rochester, New York: 'The Mixtec area is the starting point of civilization and this funeral rite is also on the civilization.'

Duncan and his colleagues will publish the study on the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

An illustration from a 14th-century Mixtec manuscript book shows that Indians performed the funeral rite, a form of funeral rituals reserved exclusively for kings and emperors.A newly discovered cemetery shows that the cremation tradition was applied in 1100 BC, much earlier than we still think.(Photo: Nationalgeographic)

Soul goes to heaven thanks to smoke

The archaeological group excavated two graves in a village of Mixtec in Tayata, currently located in the state of Oaxaca along the Pacific coast south of Mexico. The dead were placed in the tomb, cremated and then buried near a place near their home. Part of the ruins are thought to be of a young woman about 18 to 25 years old. Scientists cannot determine the sex of the other, but they think this person is between 15 and 25 years old.

The co-author of the project, Heather Lapham, an archaeologist at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, said the team also discovered bones of dogs, deer and fish - a sign that these residents have a good diet. and may belong to the upper class.

In essence, Lapham said, excavations show that dogs are 'the main ingredient in their meals'.

According to co-author Andrew Balkansky, also of the University of Southern Illinois, Mixtecs probably believe that the cremation process will free the soul of the deceased. Balkansky said 'Basically, they believe that someone's soul will be taken to heaven through smoke.'

Cremation is also part of the belief that the aristocracy will die as gods.'When they died they were very close to the spirit world. The cremation rite will help them reborn. '

Aerial cremation rituals were performed in other Mixtec cemeteries during the same period - another indication that those buried in Tayata were only in the upper class.

Scientists have not been able to determine the cause of the deaths of these two young people, but they may not be killed for sacrifice.'There is no evidence of injury on their remains, which could be one of the causes of their deaths.'