Ancient 50-foot boat — and offerings of human bones — found in Mexico lake. See it

In Lake Pátzcuaro in central Mexico, five islands dot the water and look back toward the shoreline.

The lake is famous for its Day of the Dead celebrations, but in recent years, there are more dry mud beds than flowing water.

Local government officials said drought and illegal water siphoning are causing the water level to drop, going as far as stationing police around the lake to prevent water theft, news outlets reported.

The loss of water is devastating for the island communities at the center of the lake, including Janitzio, which used to only be accessible by boat and now is connected by dry land.

But as the water recedes, ancient artifacts are emerging from the lake bottom.

Around the island of Janitzio, archaeologists have discovered a massive, ancient boat that had sunk offshore, as well as other artifacts thrown into the water, according to a June 17 news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

The boat, called a tepari, is a traditional vessel used in pre-Hispanic cultures to access the lake island, researchers said.

Nearly 50 feet long, the boat’s large size is unique, according to the release.

The boat was likely used to carry firewood from the mainland to the island, researchers said, and it sunk with a full load.

Researchers also discovered other historical objects in the mud, likely thrown into the lake.

Many ceramic pieces and stone objects have been recovered, according to the release, as well as a collection of human bones that have been carved.

Mostly femurs, the bones are very well preserved, researchers said, and were likely tossed into the lake as a form of offering by the indigenous culture hundreds of years ago.

Researchers are working to conserve the artifacts as they are discovered, according to the release, including other tepari that have been found around the island.

The artifacts will eventually be displayed in a community museum on Janitzio, officials said.

Lake Pátzcuaro is in Michoacán, about a 215-mile drive west from Mexico City.

Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

This story was originally published June 18, 2024 at 10:19 AM with the headline "Ancient 50-foot boat — and offerings of human bones — found in Mexico lake. See it."

Irene Wright

McClatchy DC

Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.