Archaeologists from Mexico’s National Insтιтute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered ancient hunting tools dating back approximately 1,900 years in the Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave), located in the central state of Querétaro.
Maya Stone Spear Point. Maya Gallery, INAH, National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City (illustrative image). Credit: Gary Todd
The cave, situated in Cadereyta de Montes, holds significant archaeological value as a repository of artifacts from early hunter-gatherer societies.
The discovery was initiated by members of the ᴀssociation of Cavers of Querétaro and revealed a remarkable collection of hunting instruments, including an atlatl (spear-throwing lever), two wooden darts, and modified logs likely used as multifunctional tools. The atlatl, measuring 51.5 centimeters in length, would have played a crucial role in increasing the range and velocity of projectiles, allowing hunters to strike prey from greater distances.
These tools—preserved for nearly two millennia thanks to the cave’s dry environment—offer a unique glimpse into the lives of early nomadic communities that inhabited the region as far back as 7,000 BCE. The semi-desert zones of Querétaro and neighboring Guanajuato attracted hunter-gatherer groups, as evidenced by the presence of abundant rock art and numerous prehistoric artifacts in nearby cave systems.
INAH archaeologists, supported by members of the Cavers’ ᴀssociation, ascended over 600 feet from the base of a ravine to reach the cave entrance. The exploration involved navigating a narrow pᴀssageway that opened into the gallery where the ancient tools were located.
Carlos Viramontes, one of the archaeologists involved in the excavation, emphasized the significance of the find. He noted that the tools provide critical insight into hunter-gatherer societies that inhabited the region for more than 9,000 years. Viramontes also highlighted that the exceptional preservation of the tools—due to the cave’s arid conditions—enabled radiocarbon dating, placing the artifacts between CE 7 and 132.
The discovery from Cueva del Tesoro stands out as one of the few nearly complete sets of pre-Columbian hunting tools ever found in Mexico. The ᴀssemblage, including the atlatl, darts, and modified logs, reflects the sophisticated survival strategies of ancient communities whose lifestyles evolved over time. While some groups transitioned to settled agricultural practices, others continued to live as nomadic hunter-gatherers.
Curiously, the cave yielded no other pre-Hispanic artifacts, deepening the mystery surrounding the presence of these tools and suggesting that the site may have been used for very specific purposes—possibly related to seasonal hunting or ritual practices.
This recent discovery echoes previous archaeological breakthroughs in Mexico. For instance, in the caves of Quintana Roo, archaeologists have found human remains, ceramic fragments, and other artifacts shedding light on ancient rituals and burial customs.
The importance of the Cueva del Tesoro findings is further emphasized by their connection to earlier discoveries. In the 1950s, American archaeologist Cynthia Irwin-Williams unearthed projectile arrows dating to around 7,000 BCE in the El Tecolote cave, located near Tequisquiapan in Querétaro—just kilometers away from the current site.
Earlier this year, INAH also announced a significant discovery in a cave in the state of Nuevo León. That find included human remains and a wide range of artifacts dating back between 2,500 and 4,500 years, reinforcing the notion that Mexico’s cave systems are rich with archaeological treasures.
The tools uncovered in Cueva del Tesoro not only enrich our understanding of ancient hunting techniques but also provide a tangible connection to the ingenuity and resilience of early human societies in Mesoamerica.
