X20 Out of context Sima de las Golondrinas sculptured Ovis phalanx


First phalanx of a mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), with multiple human-made cut marks and carvings all around its surface. Possible portable art object. Found out of context in the surface collecting area 0-G, possibly excavated by early 20th century explorers from an old exploration pit at Sima de las Golondrinas cave, northern Zacatecas, Mexico. Not directly dated. Chronology unknown, presumed Late Pleistocene.

Copyright: Ciprian F. Ardelean, Alejandro Mitrani, José Luis Ruvalcaba-Sil, LANCIC-IFUNAM, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas

Sima de las Golondrinas, Zacatecas, Mex. Excavation X-20 early materials