MacDonald Brandi L, Chatters James C, Reinhardt Eduard G, Devos Fred, Meacham Sam, Rissolo Dominique, Rock Barry, Le Maillot Chris, Stalla David, Marino Marc D, Lo Eric, Erreguerena Pilar Luna
Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Missouri Research Reactor, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Applied Paleoscience, Bothell, WA 98011, USA.
Sci Adv. 2020 Jul 3;6(27). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba1219. Print 2020 Jul.
Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evidence for human presence during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Skeletal remains are scattered throughout the caves of Quintana Roo, most representing individuals who died in situ. The reasons why they explored these underground environments have remained unclear. Here, we announce the discovery of the first subterranean ochre mine of Paleoindian age found in the Americas, offering compelling evidence for mining in three cave systems on the eastern Yucatán over a ~2000-year period between ~12 and 10 ka. The cave passages exhibit preserved evidence for ochre extraction pits, speleothem digging tools, shattered and piled flowstone debris, cairn navigational markers, and hearths yielding charcoal from highly resinous wood species. The sophistication and extent of the activities demonstrate a readiness to venture into the dark zones of the caves to prospect and collect what was evidently a highly valued mineral resource.
对尤卡坦半岛现已被淹没的洞穴系统的调查，持续发现更新世-全新世过渡时期人类存在的证据。骨骼残骸散布在金塔纳罗奥州的各个洞穴中，大多数代表就地死亡的个体。他们探索这些地下环境的原因一直不明。在此，我们宣布在美洲发现了首个古印第安时期的地下赭石矿，这为约12至10千年前约2000年期间在尤卡坦半岛东部三个洞穴系统中的采矿活动提供了有力证据。洞穴通道有赭石开采坑、洞穴沉积物挖掘工具、破碎并堆积的流石碎片、石冢导航标记以及产生来自高树脂木材物种木炭的炉灶等保存下来的证据。这些活动的复杂性和规模表明，人们已准备好冒险进入洞穴的黑暗区域进行勘探，并采集显然是一种极有价值的矿产资源。
