Ancient rock art spanning 4,000 years discovered in Hidalgo, Mexico during railway salvage work
Archaeologists from Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) have uncovered 16 ancient petroglyphs and cave paintings located near the La Requena Dam and Tula River in Hidalgo state. These artworks, which date back more than 4,000 years, span the Mesoamerican Postclassic period (AD 900-AD 1521). Among the significant figures are one resembling Tláloc wielding a macana club and another anthropomorphic figure painted in red. This site, referred to as El Venado, was cataloged during the Tula Archaeological Project. The discoveries occurred amid salvage excavations for a 232km rail project connecting Mexico City to Querétaro, with construction slated to commence in April 2025. In October 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo modified the route to protect the site. Rock art specialist José-Miguel Perez Gomez described the find as a groundbreaking achievement for archaeology.
Key facts
- 16 petroglyphs and cave paintings discovered in Hidalgo, Mexico
- Artworks date from over 4,000 years ago through Mesoamerican Postclassic period (AD900-AD1521)
- Site located near Tula River and La Requena Dam
- Discovered during salvage work for Mexico City-Querétaro passenger rail line
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo altered railway route in October 2025 to preserve site
- Figures include Tláloc-like depiction with goggles and headdress
- Site known as El Venado since 1970s Tula Archaeological Project
- Art includes anthropomorphic figures, deer, snake/lightning imagery
Entities
Artists
- José-Miguel Perez Gomez
Institutions
- Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH)
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Mexico
- Hidalgo
- Tula River
- La Requena Dam
- Mexico City
- Querétaro
- Tula Chico
- Puebla
- United States