Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in the Central Valley of Oaxaca

The Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla are a network of caves and rock shelters in Oaxaca's central valley that contain evidence of human settlement spanning thousands of years. The sites show signs of early habitation and the gradual development of farming techniques over an extended timeframe.

The caves were first inhabited by hunter-gatherer communities who gradually began experimenting with growing plants over many centuries. This long transition from hunting to farming represents one of the most important changes in human history and happened here in the valley.

The rock art panels inside the caves show hunting activities and scenes from daily life, giving visitors a window into how early people lived in this region.

Local guides offer the best way to explore these caves safely and understand what you are seeing inside each site. Visiting requires getting to Oaxaca first and then arranging transportation to the valley sites, which works best with some advance organization.

Inside the shelters, researchers discovered dried seeds from squash, beans, and bottle gourds that have survived for thousands of years. These remains provide direct physical evidence of how people here began changing what they grew and ate over time.

GPS coordinates: 16.95083,-96.42111

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44