| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Los Tlateles | An archaeological site in México state, known for ancient mounds. |
| Artifacts | An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest. |
| Looting | The illegal taking of valuable items from a site. |
In México state, the archaeological site called Los Tlateles is in trouble. It’s not protected, so people are taking important artifacts from it illegally. Los Tlateles has about 150 ancient mounds built on what used to be Lake Chalco. People have been looting things like bones and pottery from the site, and some of these items are sold online. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) is responsible for protecting places like this, but they are having a hard time. Locals have even stopped archaeologists from entering the site with legal actions called amparos.
Many people, including archaeologist Ricardo Arredondo, say that up to 70% of ancient pieces sold online were taken from Los Tlateles. The INAH workers’ union is upset and says some directors are not doing their job. They believe these directors should protect the site but are not following the rules. A famous history influencer, Señor Blue, has shown videos of the damage. Sadly, the site, which was once huge, is now much smaller due to illegal land sales.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Archaeology | Arqueología |
| Legal | Legal |
| Director | Director |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think protecting archaeological sites is important?
- How can communities help in preserving their local history?
- What challenges do you think archaeologists face when they try to protect a site?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- What is happening at the Los Tlateles site, and why is it a problem?
- Who are some of the people and groups involved in this situation?
