Archaeologists have discovered in the ancient ancient city of Teotihuacan near Mexico City in central Mexico, bouquets of plants that are 1800 to 2,000 years old.
Quetzalcóatl, or 'Plumed Serpent' was an important god during ancient Mesoamerica, a historical region that included central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and northern Costa Rica.
Experts believe these plants may be a tribute to Quetzalcoatl. Because the locals believed that this god gave the corn to humans, and participated in the creation of people.
According to archaeologist Sergio Gomez of the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, the stems of the plants have been well preserved.
'In total there are four bouquets of flowers in very good condition, they are still tied with ropes, probably cotton,' Gómez told Mexican news outlet La Jornada.
He added 'This is a very important find because it speaks of the rituals that were carried out in this place.'
Gómez says it is too early to determine what kind they are – but he hopes to solve that mystery soon.
'Although we do not know the exact date of when they were deposited, because we just took them out this week, they must be very old and correspond to the first phases of Teotihuacan, between 1,800 and 2,000 years ago,' Gómez explained.
Gómez has been working at in the ruined city for nearly 12 years, sifting through ancient soil, rocks and pyramids looking for clues about those who once called the area home.
Some 30 miles (50km) north of Mexico City, Teotihuacan, with its huge pyramids of the sun and moon, is made up of a labyrinth of palaces, temples, homes, workshops, markets and avenues.
The city is thought to have been built in 100BC and existed until the 8th century.
Archaeologists consider it one of the most influential in pre-Hispanic North America, with a population of 200,000 at its peak.
Sources:
- https://www.jornada.com.mx/notas/2021/08/12/cultura/hallan-en-teotihuacan-ramos-de-flores-casi-intactos/
