Guerrero Archaeologists Record Sites Surviving Conquest

Archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in Guerrero registered the archaeological sites of Camutla and Sacualpan in the Costa Grande region. The discovery occurred during an inspection related to the planned expansion of the Pátzcuaro-Lázaro Cárdenas highway. Both settlements were populated after the Spanish Conquest, surviving until the late 16th century.

The team used ground and drone surveys from March 25 to 30, 2026, identifying 39 structures spread across eight hectares at the Camutla site and a large platform complex at Sacualpan. Historical sources from the 16th century, including geographic reports and maps, corroborate the existence of Camutla.

These findings will offer insight into settlement patterns in the Costa Grande region and the fate of communities impacted by the reorganization and taxation of the new Spanish colonial system. INAH is coordinating with local government to conserve the sites, with four requiring special protection due to their proximity to the highway.