LAS LABRADAS, MEXICO.- Some meters away from Las Labradas Beach marshes, in Sinaloa, archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) found domestic tools and ceramic vestiges possibly dated between 900 and 1100 AD. This finding represents important evidence of the groups that dwelled the place characterized by Prehistoric petroglyphs.

During the development of the first excavation season at Las Labradas, specialists found fragments in 5 different points where small settlements must have been located, linked to Aztatlan Culture, which had Tolteca influence.

Enrique Soruco, researcher at Sinaloa INAH Center, informed that by its characteristics, ceramic could be dated between 900 and 1100 AD, when Aztatlan culture settled in Nayarit and South Sinaloa. Dating analysis must confirm this information.

Archaeological investigation regarding human settlement around the San Ignacio municipality archaeological site will allow defining origin and antiquity of the first Prehispanic populations in the place, which remained unknown, since petroglyphs were created centuries before, near 300 BC.

Enrique Soruco and Joel Santos, archaeologists in charge of the site, mentioned that from the 5 settlements detected, 3 are located at the La Chilacayota Steam eastern slope, while the other 2 are located at the marsh.

Fragments located at La Chilacayota, consist on eroded monochrome and polychrome ceramic dishes, bowls, flat bowls and stone metates (grinders). Petroglyphs are similar to those found at Las Labradas, with spirals and circles, Sun and caiman representations.

At El Pozole estuary, we have examples of red-on-crème polychrome ceramic pots and flat bowls, as well as carved stone examples such as a 25 centimeters long axe.

INAH has destined an 8 million MXP budget to Sinaloa, mainly Las Labradas, fieldwork; the site is located in Meseta de Cacaxtla, a Protected Natural Area by decree since 2000.

Las Labradas Archaeological Project work began in April 2009, which included research strategies design, topographical uplifting, and exact location of each carved glyph. Graphic and photographic register of 300 petroglyphs has already been completed.

A data base has been integrated with each glyph’s description, style, classification and probable production techniques.

The volcanic origin rocks are thousands years old, and come from a crater that was located on Cacaxtla Plateau (Meseta de Cacaxtla). For over 400 meters along the beach, rocks carved more than 2,000 years ago are distributed.