A recent excavation in the Colima region of Mexico has revealed a dedicated ritual cemetery for Xoloitzcuintli dogs dating back to approximately 800 AD. The burial patterns, which include animals placed in specific cardinal alignments, suggest these dogs were ritually honored to serve as spiritual guides for the deceased.
Archaeologists discovered that these burials were conducted during specific seasonal windows associated with the zenith passage of the sun. This finding provides a crucial archaeological link to the ancient roots of ancestor-remembrance festivals, illustrating how pre-Columbian beliefs about the journey of the soul influenced modern cultural traditions.