Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evidence for human presence during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Skeletal remains are scattered throughout the caves of Quintana Roo, most representing individuals who died in situ. The reasons why they explored these underground environments have remained unclear. Here, we announce the discovery of the first subterranean ochre mine of Paleoindian age found in the Americas, offering compelling evidence for mining in three cave systems on the eastern Yucatán over a ~2000-year period between ~12 and 10 ka. The cave passages exhibit preserved evidence for ochre extraction pits, speleothem digging tools, shattered and piled flowstone debris, cairn navigational markers, and hearths yielding charcoal from highly resinous wood species. The sophistication and extent of the activities demonstrate a readiness to venture into the dark zones of the caves to prospect and collect what was evidently a highly valued mineral resource.

对尤卡坦半岛现在被淹没的洞穴系统的调查继续为更新世-全新世过渡期间人类存在提供证据。骨骼遗骸散布在金塔纳罗奥的洞穴中，大多数代表的是原地死亡的个体。他们探索这些地下环境的原因仍不清楚。在这里，我们宣布在美洲发现了第一个古印度时代的地下赭石矿，为在约 2000 年的约 12 至 10 ka 期间在尤卡坦州东部的三个洞穴系统中进行采矿提供了令人信服的证据。洞穴通道展示了赭石开采坑、洞穴挖掘工具、破碎和堆积的流石碎片、石碑导航标记以及从高树脂木材中生产木炭的壁炉的保存证据。