A Zapotec tomb at San Pablo Huitzo in the Etla Valley features murals of men spreading copal seeds and exterior carvings of a man and woman. Ceramics and human remains await lab analysis.
1,400-year-old Zapotec tomb discovered in Oaxaca Valley with carved doorways and murals
Site mentioned
📍 San Pablo Witoso
Key facts
- Tomb dates to approximately 600 CE
- Located in the Etla Valley, the most fertile region of the Valley of Oaxaca
- Features an antechamber and single tomb chamber with carved stone doorways
- Contains painted murals depicting men spreading copal seeds, a known Zapotec ceremonial practice
- Exterior features carved figures of a man and woman
- Ceramics and human remains were recovered and sent to laboratory analysis
- Similar tomb structure found at nearby Cero de Compana site, excavated 40 years prior in 1985
- Entrance was sealed with a large blocking stone
Sources
Tomb 10 - Huitzo, Oaxaca - Monte Albán Heritage Centermontealbanoaxaca.com
Tomb 10 at San Pablo Huitzo is a Late Classic Zapotec funerary complex (c. 600 CE) discovered in 2025 and announced on January 23, 2026, ...
Intact 1,400-Year-Old Zapotec Tomb Discovered In Mexicoallthatsinteresting.com
This Zapotec tomb is not only well-preserved, but extremely detailed in its carvings, murals, and other adornments. Archaeologists suspect that ...
January 25, 2026 - The History Blogthehistoryblog.com
The entrance is flanked by two large jambs, each of them carved with a female and a male figure wearing headdresses and carrying artifacts in ...
Astonishing 1,400-year-old tomb featuring giant owl sculpture ... - CNNcnn.com
Archaeologists have discovered a 1400-year-old Zapotec tomb in southern Mexico, adorned with complex carvings, which has been called “the ...
Ornate 1400-year-old Zapotec tomb discovered in Mexicotheartnewspaper.com
Uncovered following an anonymous looting report, Tomb 10 stands out for its preservation, architecture and decoration, including mural paintings ...
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