1,500-year-old shaman discovered in Colima grave

Ancient shaman discovered in Mexican tomb: 1,500-year-old sculpture found guarding bodies in underground shaft

-- The tomb, complete with the figure, was uncovered by archaeologists in the city of Villa de Alvarez in Colima, Mexico

-- Six pots of different sizes and human bones were found in the underground burial chamber along with the figure, which measures around 20 inches

-- Few of the statues have been found intact as many have fallen victim to grave robbers in the region

The site

The Shaman

He has been guarding a tomb for over 1,500 years.

And only now have a team of archaeologists come across a shaman sculpture in an underground burial chamber in the state of Colima, Mexico.

It is unusual to find one of the statues intact as many have fallen victim to tomb raiders over the centuries.

The sculpture has a long face and holds a weapon - probably an axe - to guard the shaft tomb which was covered over by slabs of volcanic rock.

It was uncovered by archaeologists at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) who have become the first people to see the sculpture in hundreds of years.

Archaeologist Marco Zavaleta explained that the model was found in the entrance of an underground funerary space in Villa de Alvarez.

1,500-year-old shaman discovered in Colima grave

Los Manantiales de Zacualpan Balneario

Los Manantiales de Zacualpan Balneario Ecoturístico

Colima, Colima. - The Springs of Wellness Ecotourism Zacualpan are known to the inhabitants of the region as Ojo de Agua The Cobano. It is the sum of efforts and intentions of the Federal Government through the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples Development Commission, the State Government through its Ministry of Tourism and the City of Comala. They all cooperated in the planning, organization and operation of sustainable project that guarantees the preservation of the environment, employment for generations and social development.

Zacualpan is part of the municipality of Comala and is located off the Villa de Alvarez road to Minatitlan. Activities there include observing ecosystems, camping, farm tourism, craft workshops, photography, rural and recreational areas.

The town of Zacualpan is located on the slopes of Cerro Grande in a deep river valley. From the streets you can see across the river the towering walls of the canyon clearly showing the successive layers indicating forgotten eruptions over thousands of years. Most of its nearly 3,000 residents are officially Otomi although they lost their language and traditional dress but in many ways retain their Indian identity.

It is the only population of the state which recognizes communal property. Its festival for it's patron St. James the Apostle is held in January. The main economic activity is agriculture, livestock and services, and with special mention the cultivation of plums.

Zacualpan Map

Zacualpan valley

Los Manantiales

Los Manantiales