Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Study finds more women than men among 165 Maya skulls in Chiapas cave
Researchers analyzed 165 skulls found in a cave in Frontera Comalapa, in Mexico's Chiapas state.
The remains include 83 women and 79 men, while three skulls could not be classified; 15 belonged to children.
The cave was identified in 2012, and researchers say the skulls date to the pre-Hispanic Maya period, though no more precise date is given.
Burn marks on bones and soot on the cave roof suggest people entered with torches and may have carried out ceremonies there.
Researchers say the cave may have served as a place of pilgrimage and ritual for nearby Maya communities, perhaps for ceremonies seeking rain.
The findings offer evidence about Maya beliefs and practices, and Mexico's culture secretary has stressed the need to preserve and share Chiapas's archaeological heritage.
The skulls and 51 long bones are being kept in a laboratory for study.
An osteological analysis identified 83 women and 79 men among 165 skulls found in a cave at Frontera Comalapa, Chiapas.
Three skulls could not be classified because they were fragmented.
Researchers say signs of cooking on bones and soot on the cave ceiling may point to ritual activity.
The site was located in 2012, and the remains are being studied by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
- Who
- INAH researchers analyzed the remains.
- What
- The analysis identified 83 women, 79 men and three unclassified individuals among 165 skulls.
- When
- The site was located in 2012. The article was published on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- A cave in Frontera Comalapa, Chiapas, Mexico.
- Why
- Researchers say signs of cooking and soot may indicate that the cave was used for Maya rituals and pilgrimage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The archaeological context at Frontera Comalapa was located.
Initial investigations were carried out by physical anthropologist Javier Montes de Paz.
Infobae reported the osteological findings from the analysis of the skulls.
- Skulls analyzed
- 165
- Identified as women
- 83
- Identified as men
- 79
- Could not be classified
- 3
- Site located
- Frontera Comalapa, Chiapas
- Site discovered
- 2012
1 source
What people are saying
This points to the ancient Maya entering with torches and perhaps carrying out various rituals there, making the cave a pilgrimage site connected to the social life of nearby communities for requests for rain or other ceremonies.