- Title: MEXICO: Pre-historic caves of Yagul and Mitla named Unesco World Heritage site
- Date: 4th August 2010
- Summary: TLACOLULA, OAXACA, MEXICO (AUGUST 3, 2010) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF VALLEY WHERE PROPERTY LIES VARIOUS OF PRE-HISTORIC CAVES MEXICAN ARCHAEOLOGIST, NELLY ROBLES GARCIA, BEING INTERVIEWED AND LOOKING AT BOOK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN ARCHAEOLOGIST, NELLY ROBLES, A SPECIALIST IN OAXACA ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE MANAGEMENT, SAYING: "They were experimenting with plants to make them more useful to man. The case with maize is emblematic because it's the origin of all civilization developed after Oaxaca and well in Mesoamerica. For that reason, it's so important to have palpable and visible evidence in this site. Where they lived, where they spent their evenings, where their shielded from the rain, where they collected plants, where they made their tools. We have documented all of these elements within this series of caves. That is why it's so important, because it shows the transition between one type of life to another." VARIOUS OF PRE-HISPANIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX ARCHAEOLOGIST MANELIC OLIVERA, LOOKING AT VALLEY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARCHAEOLOGIST MANELIC OLIVERA, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE PRE-HISPANIC CAVES OF YAGUL AND MITLA INVESTIGATION PROJECT, SAYING: "There are many theories the teozintle is the predecessor to what we know as the maize in the present day. The maize is a plant which was domesticated by man for production. For example, the maize does not scatter in the wild because it's covered by leaves. This prevents the seeds from scattering, and the hand of man is needed in order to continue harvesting it, which is different to the teozintle and that is what could be evidenced here, i.e. human intervention over the plant for its domestication."
- Embargoed: 19th August 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: History,Travel / Tourism
- Reuters ID: LVA767JCX9HCA6MM5ZNEYZNJMQHH
- Story Text: The pre-historic caves of Yagul and Mitla which lie on the northern slopes of the Tlacolula valley in the southern state of Oaxaca and includes two pre-Hispanic archaeological complexes and a series of pre-hispanic caves and rock shelters were declared a Unesco World Heritage site on Sunday (August 1).
Some of the shelters provide archaeological and rock-art evidence for the progress of nomadic hunter-gathers to early farmers.
Mexican archaeologist, Nelly Robles, a specialist in Oaxaca archaeology and heritage management, said the cultural landscape of the pre-Historic caves of Yagul and Mitla shows the link between man and nature that gave origin to the domestication of plants in North America, allowing the rise of Mesoamerican civilizations.
"They were experimenting with plants to make them more useful to man. The case with maize is emblematic because it's the origin of all civilization developed after Oaxaca and well in Mesoamerica. For that reason, it's so important to have palpable and visible evidence in this site. Where they lived, where they spent their evenings, where their shielded from the rain, where they collected plants, where they made their tools. We have documented all of these elements within this series of caves. That is why it's so important, because it shows the transition between one type of life to another," she said.
Ten thousand-year-old Cucurbitaceae seeds found in one cave, Guila Naquitz, are thought to be the earliest known evidence of domesticated plants on the continent.
Corncob fragments from the same cave are said to be the earliest documented evidence for the domestication of maize.
"There are many theories the teozintle is the predecessor to what we know as the maize in the present day. The maize is a plant which was domesticated by man for production. For example, the maize does not scatter in the wild because it's covered by leaves. This prevents the seeds from scattering, and the hand of man is needed in order to continue harvesting it, which is different to the teozintle and that is what could be evidenced here, i.e. human intervention over the plant for its domestication," explained archaeologist Manelic Olivera, who is in charge of the pre-Hispanic caves of Yagul and Mitla investigation project.
Another archaeologist Ruben Garcia, who also works on the project, said paint found on the walls of some caves does not correspond to Zapotec writing of the period.
"In the first place, the paint has not been dated but the design does not correspond to those known for the period of Zapotec writing which begins around the year 500 before Christ, during the period of Monte Alban I. So this design does not correspond to Zapotec writing which has been properly documented in the year 500 before Christ. That is why we, investigators, think the painting corresponds to a period before the existence of small villages and that is why we think it's pre-historic."
Farmer, Aureliano Diaz, said soil in the area is rich with nutrients and good for harvesting a number of crops.
"Yes, they are very productive and good. You are looking at them now (crops). Anything grows here, such as alfalfa, maize, bean, chickpea is what we grow the most."
Experts from Unesco and Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) are to visit the site and help develop a conservation plan. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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