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June 11, 2010

Researchers excavated the Xihuatoxtla Shelter in Mexico finding 8,700 year-old maize remains.

Researchers focused on excavating the Xihuatoxtla Shelter in an area of the Balsas Valley in southwestern Mexico. Searching this lowland site represented a shift from previous searches in the Mexican highlands. The Xihuatoxtla archaeological site yielded evidence of maize and squash dating back 8,700 years, representing the earliest remains of maize yet discovered.

Credit: Anthony J. Ranere, Anthropology Department, Temple University


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