MEXICO: CHIHUAHUA: Approximate 14 km SE Jimenez. 1450 m.
General Description.—Messing (1986: Northwest corner of the Bolson de Mapimi; on the south side of a small group of mountains protruding from the flat desert areas surrounding it. Accessible from dirt road from Mex. Hwy. 49. Cave near base of highest peak in the range, which rises to 1,703 m. Vegetation is Chihuahuan Desertscrub. Several playas to south, inc. Laguna Del Gacho, 3 km S of the site. All playas and the Rio Florido (passes just N of Ciudad Jimenez and is the southernmost tributary of the Rio Conchos) were dry in May 1977 and Jun 1978. Several small, domed rooms. From large domed shelter and overhanging ledge at entrance, cave descends ca. 31 m into two connected, domed rooms (end of system). Largest of these two ca 4.6 m high and diameter the same. Most matrix had been excavated by gold hunters and deposited outside of the cave. In protected areas of cave, fill of extremely fine sand, sometimes layered, with mostly small bones. Human evidence (arrowhead, bedrock mortar, etc.) present in or near mouth. About 115 kg fill from lower rooms; large bone elements collected randomly during exploration and from spoil at entrance.
Comments.—All specimens at UTEP, but not doublechecked.
Age.—Rancholabrean/Holocene.
Publications.—Harris 1984, 1985; Messing 1986; Russell and Harris 1986
Fauna.—
AMPHIBIA
Last Update: 25 September 1998.