Mortuary practices in western Mexico are exemplified by the shaft tomb tradition. In various regions of Nayarit—similar to areas in Jalisco, Colima, and southern Zacatecas—people buried their dead in underground chambers accessed through vertical shafts. These chambers varied in shape and size, and were often accompanied by grave offerings.

The Regional Museum of Nayarit presents two reconstructions showcasing contents from such tombs: one from Santa Catarina in the municipality of Ixtlán del Río (in the southeastern valleys), and another from the La Playa site in the mountainous municipality of La Yesca. The ceramic offerings—including clay vessels, bowls, scale models, figurines representing humans, animals, and plants—along with obsidian tools and shell ornaments, are exceptional in both craftsmanship and beauty. These objects have significantly enriched our understanding of pre-Hispanic archaeology in Nayarit and western Mexico.