Archaeologists in northern Mexico have uncovered the remains of an ancient village that predates the well-known archaeological site of Cerro de Trincheras, along with two sites containing rock carvings, during excavation work connected to a major railway project in the state of Sonora.
The discoveries were made in the valley and canyon of the Cocóspera River near the United States border with Arizona. Specialists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) identified the settlement—named La Ciénega—as part of the Trincheras cultural tradition and likely dating between AD 800 and 1200.
The findings emerged during an archaeological salvage project linked to the construction of the Ímuris–Nogales railway bypass, a project overseen by Mexico’s Ministry of National Defence.
As part of the Archaeological Salvage of the Ímuris-Nogales Railway Bypass initiative, the research has been carried out by a six-member team from INAH’s Sonora Centre. Archaeologist Júpiter Martínez Ramírez presented the first results during a lecture in the “INAH Coffee Afternoons” series.
According to Martínez Ramírez, the site had initially been identified in 2008, when researchers recorded 10 houses. However, recent construction activity exposed a much larger settlement. Archaeologists now estimate the plateau, measuring about 250 by 250 metres, could contain as many as 60 homes.
Evidence suggests residents used nearby fertile land along a tributary of the Cocóspera River for agriculture.
Excavations of three residential complexes revealed ceramics and two burial areas containing more than 100 human remains from the Trincheras Tradition. Among the discoveries were around 40 traditional burials, in which individuals were placed in a flexed position, as well as 28 cremations inside ceramic vessels.
Some burials included simple shell ornaments, while others show signs of cultural contact with the Hohokam people of the American Southwest.
The houses themselves were oval or rectangular and semi-subterranean, with walls marked by simple stone alignments. These structures were built between one and 2.2 metres below ground level and were later expanded with earthen architectural additions as the settlement was reoccupied over time.
Within the residential compounds, internal walls created enclosed spaces resembling family neighbourhoods where several generations likely lived together.
Researchers believe La Ciénega may have served as a border settlement where resources and cultural influences circulated between groups.
In addition to the village, archaeologists documented two smaller settlements and two rock-art sites. One of them, Babasac Petroglyphs, features six panels stretching more than 200 metres, decorated with geometric and human figures. Another site, known as Bear Footprints, contains carvings resembling the tracks of bears inside a small cave.
Although difficult to date precisely, the rock art is believed to have been created between AD 800 and 1400.
Sources : INAH
