Ancient Ruins Found in Mexico Have 'Never Before Seen' Features

An anthropomorphic whistle face handled by archaeologists working at an ancient site in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico. (Marco Antonio Martinez/AFP)

Mexican archaeologists unearthed ancient ruins with signs of Maya culture as well as "never before seen" characteristics in the eastern state of Veracruz.President Claudia Sheinbaum called the discovery "very relevant" during her morning press conference on Friday, saying her government would allocate resources for the investigation and restoration of the site.The site includes a circular stone platform unlike any other unearthed in that part of Mexico.Researchers also discovered a monolith depicting a figure with potential Maya features, the National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH) said.The archaeological site in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico. (Marco Antonio Martinez/AFP)"It's a unique, unprecedented finding," said Lino Espinoza Garcia, an archaeologist for the INAH and one of the coordinators for the Campo Viejo site near the town of Coatepec.Dating back to the Early Classic period between 200 and 600 CE, the pre-Hispanic ruins include a flagstone and limestone platform adorned with almost squared lines or figures, as well as the circular stones.These attributes have never been recorded in this region of Mexico, the INAH said in a statement.