Cube-shaped skull, 1,400 years old, is found in Mexico archaeological discovery

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Archaeologists recently discovered an astonishing 1,400-year-old skull at the site. ancient village It is unusual in Mexico for both its flat top and cube-like shape.

Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the discovery. Officials said the skull was discovered in the Balcón de Montezuma archaeological zone in the Huasteca region of northern Tamaulipas state.

Officials said the skull belonged to a man who lived between 400 and 900 AD and was over 40 years old at the time of his death.

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The man had a unique, upright, plate-like skull that was intentionally flattened at the front and back of the head.

The top of the skull is also unusually flat, with a cube-like shape resembling an unusual plate-like morphology.

Computer scan of an ancient skull from the front

Mexican archaeologists have announced the discovery of a 1,400-year-old skull that shows a rare form of intentional cranial deformation. (National Institute of Anthropology and History)

“The results not only confirmed intentional cranial deformation for the first time in the field of its kind, but also deformations in cranial modeling that had not previously been reported in this region of Mesoamerica,” said an INAH press release.

In a translated written statement to Fox News Digital, INAH researchers said they believe the skull may have had a meaning related to identity or status.

“Not all individuals in the field (where complete skeletons are available) exhibit this type of cultural modification,” the researchers said.

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“In other words, this person clearly stood out from the rest, which gave him a differentiated status.”

The man’s position was not “necessarily high social status” – experts suggested he may have had a shaman-like role within the group.

The skull was discovered in the Balcón de Montezuma archaeological zone in the northern Huasteca region of Tamaulipas state. (National Institute of Anthropology and History)

Skull deformities were not unheard of; In Mesoamerica, The researchers highlighted that this type is less common than other types in the region and combines both unusual upright and platy styles.

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“Their differences lie in the lateral projection angle between the frontal, occipital, and/or coronal bones,” the research team said.

The researchers also noted that the tomb also contained small circular shell beads, which were unusual as they functioned as personal ornaments.

Intentional cranial deformations were practiced in parts of Mesoamerica, but rarely in this particular combination. (National Institute of Anthropology and History)

“This new discovery provides highly relevant data about the nature of cross-cultural relationships in the Huasteca region, particularly with Mexico’s northern and eastern Sierra Madre,” the researchers added.

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“This not only shows a high degree of ethnic diversity, but also provides insight into the physical characteristics of the population.”

This discovery is just one of many archaeological finds to be discovered in 2025.