CHALCATZINGO ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE

HOW TO GET THERE

This archaeological site is located at kilometer 93 of federal highway 160,
east of Cuernavaca and Cuautla, in the State of Morelos.

BACKGROUND

Chalcatzingo is the only archaeological site so far found on the Mexican
central plateau where major architectural works, civic type constructions,
and excellent low reliefs and carved stone sculptures were achieved in the
millennium prior to the Christian era. The low reliefs are the most
outstanding of these elements. Their symbolic forms, the information they
reflect, and other motifs involved in the technique and manufacture of the
low reliefs make them, in fact, the first artistic manifestations of their
kind in Meso-America's heartland. Recent surveys reveal that these
peculiarities show the presence in the area of outsiders, namely, Olmecs
from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

DESCRIPTION

Chalcatzingo consists of low reliefs carved on rock, sculptures, and a
number of buildings located on artificially terraced land. Touring it is
not easy, since it is not a conventional archaeological site with plazas,
pyramids, and stairways. The monuments that remain exposed for viewing
(excavated dwellings were covered over again with soil) are scattered among
plowed fields, where in the rainy season they are hidden from view by crops
and wild plants. The flying man. It depicts a male figure wearing a coyote
helmet and leaping, of flying, with a torch in his right hand. He is
accompanied by a macaw and a quetzal. His attire and other adornments are
interesting to examine. The King. This low-relief rock carving portrays a
personage seated inside a cave and in the throat of the earth monster. He
dons a high headdress having quetzals and raindrops. In his hands he holds
a bar with a horizontal "s", a symbol you also see on the block where he
sits, as well as on others reliefs at the site. From the cave come
smokelike volutes, possible forerunners of the virgules that eventually
indicated the spoken word. Surrounding these there are depictions of
clouds, raindrops, and concentric circles (chalchihuitl: symbols for
precious water and jade). You also note stylized representations of
cornstalks. Mural of fertility. This is a set of six figures in relief
which suggest aspects of life. This natural mural also has other
alterations. From left to right, the cuts illustrate the following
elements: a small square; a small groove and 14 conical cavities; a coiled
snake (broken); a squash vine with leaves, flowers, and fruits; an
unidentified figure and another squash vine, both very eroded; a quadruped
licking a cloud and rain; a lizard with a cloud and raindrops; and a
crouching serpent or wild cat, also with a diagonally placed cloud and
raindrops. The procession. This monument shows three masked figures
standing in front of another, seated one. The latter wears no mask, is
bearded, and may have his wrists tied. The huge rock in front is an enigma
and had to be trimmed to make its important relief visible. The two central
figures hold spears and the first one to the left, a cornstalk. The puma.
This character is either licking a glyph or devouring his victim's head,
out of which comes a cactuslike form. Duality. This monument illustrates
two garnished tigers and two human figures that are either dancing,
fighting, or running. The acipactli. It is a lizard, alligator, or sea
serpent that is either gobbling or throwing up a human figure that seems to
be sinking or swimming among symbols which resemble those of the king
figure. The ruler. it is a fragment of relief with a human figure (either a
child or a youth) seated inside a cave similar to The King's) Stele of the
hunter. It is a fragmented relief of a man toting a deer on his shoulders.
You will find it at the foot of a staired structure. The Queen. The
personage depicted here is standing. Her hair either falls free or is
cloaked, while her hands rest on a stele. This is the only female portrait
found in the whole site.

ACTIVITIES

In order to complement the visit to the archaeological zone of
Chalcatzingo, one can visit the "Termas of Atotonilco" water park which
consits thermal waters and includes a hotel within its facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is necesary to wear casual, confortable clothes and shoes, it is also
recomendable to wear a hat and to take a camara.