Altavista (Zacatecas)
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The pre-Hispanic ruins Altavista (the original name is unknown) in the Mexican highlands in the Sierra de Chalchihuites in the area of the municipality of Chalchihuites in the west of the state of Zacatecas is one of the most remote in the country. The settled Chalchihuit Indians, who lived from the trade in semi-precious stones (mainly turquoise ), are named as builders , but in later times they were probably ousted by the nomadic Chichimecs who immigrated from the north .
location
The Altavista ruins, which are at least 600 km from the classic ceremonial centers of central Mexico, are located almost exactly on the tropic in the north . It is located approx. 500 m southeast of the small town of Chalchihuites and approx. 55 km southwest of the town of Sombrerete at an altitude of approx. 2300 m .
history
The remote site experienced its climax in the classical period between approx. 450 and 650 AD, ie about the same time as Teotihuacan , which is approx. 800 km away ; thereafter the decline began and around 1200 the site was completely abandoned. It was not until 1908 that the structures, which were never completely covered by earth, were rediscovered for scientific research by the Mexican archaeologist Manuel Gamio and parts of them were excavated. Further excavations took place in the 1970s.
Archaeological site
According to what we know so far, the site has been built according to astronomical criteria, because buildings, squares and streets follow exactly the north-south and east-west directions. The structures were mainly made of plastered stone, but remnants of adobe bricks (adobes) have also been discovered.
- The ceremonial the former city consists of two recessed seats (plazas) each having an average platform.
- Two pyramids , only about 8 m high and covered with stucco , had simple temples made of clay, twigs and / or straw on their upper platform, but they have completely disappeared.
- The so-called “column hall” consists of 28 bricked and plastered columns and similar structures. Its flat roof, probably made of wooden beams, reeds and straw, has also long since disappeared.
- The group of buildings known as the “labyrinth” is likely to have been closely spaced stone buildings belonging to the local elite.
- In the Templo de los Cráneos , a house-like building with a central fireplace, numerous human bones were discovered, which are understood as evidence of human sacrifice ceremonies .
museum
In 2007 an archaeological museum was opened next to the ruins, which presents numerous finds from Altavista and neighboring sites.
Others
The church of San Pedro Apóstol was built on the edge of today's archaeological site in 1879/80 .
See also
Other archaeological sites in the state of Zacatecas include:
Web links
- archaeological site Altavista - photos + info (Spanish)
- Altavista - Video (Spanish)
Individual evidence
Coordinates: 23 ° 28 '58 " N , 103 ° 52' 39" W.