Aztec Remains Found in Mexico City Subway Dig

During an excavation to open a new subway line in Mexico City, a group of archaeologists found the remains of what seems to be an Aztec offering.

During the construction labor carried out by the Federal District's government to open a new subway line, various perforated skulls and male and female bones that could have belonged to sacrifice victims were found, according to the Associated Press.

The finding of the Aztec remains took place in an area close to the Ermita subway station of line 12, located in southern-central Mexico City. Besides the human remains, archaeologists also found dog bones, which according to experts are an unusual find in Aztec offerings.

One of the archaeologists of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), María de Jesús Sánchez, said that these types of offerings belonged to the Aztec culture, which had its capital in the same area as Mexico's capital, Mexico City.

El Universal reported that the bones could belong to the Late Post-Classic period, between the years 1350 and 1621 CE.

The expert said that these types of offerings were known as "tzompantli" by the Aztecs.

Authorities say they also found remains of Aztec homes in the subway, such as floors, walls and some cooking utensils used by the Aztecs, according to the INAH's press release. 

"The collaboration of various specialists from the Archaeological Salvage Direction and the Laboratory Subdirection and Academic Support have enriched the research, and were able to determine diseases the Aztecs of Mexicaltzingo had and identify species used as food an in industry," INAH experts explained.

Bone remains and materials belonging to the Aztec civilization were also found at the "Lomas Estrella," "Parque de los Venados" and "Mixcoac" subway stations. All archaeological items were rescued by the INAH.