Starfish Discovery at Mexico's Tula Sheds Light on 1,000-Year-Old Toltec Rituals and Pacific Connection
Govind Tekale
Ancient starfish remains surface during drainage repairs at Mexico's Tula Archaeological Zone after 1,000 years.
How did 2,720 calcium plates transform into five complete Pacific Ocean starfish specimens?
Research team identifies three chocolate chip stars and two cushion stars through comparison with modern specimens.
What reveals ancient trade routes between highland Mexico and Pacific coast through starfish placement?
Cosmic model places marine life at cardinal points with 34-centimeter pyrite mirror at center of ritual offering.
Specimens date 470-570 years older than similar Templo Mayor findings while showing mineralization effects.
Archaeological evidence confirms Pacific species traveled from Gulf of California to pre-Hispanic Mexican highlands.
Toltec Empire's 60,000-person capital holds new secrets within 44-centimeter ritual cavity.
Fragile calcium remains face preservation challenges while documenting coastal-highland connections at 14-square-kilometer site.