Chalcatzingo

Chalcatzingo is an important archaeological site of the Olmec from the early to late Preclassic in the southeastern part of the Mexican state of Morelos, about 37 km as the crow from the state capital of Cuernavaca. Chalcatzingo has become famous for its rock carvings in the Olmec style.

Research

In 1932 some of the hitherto completely unknown rock reliefs were uncovered by a landslide. Larger studies found but not take place until 20 years later. 1971 published Garlo Gay his detailed investigations. Since then excavations have taken place repeatedly that also examined the situated on flat terrain and buildings make it available.

Locality

The site covers an area of ​​around 40 hectares. It is located in a climatically favorable frost-free and sufficiently moist zone at the southern slopes of the highlands zentralkmexikanischen in flat terrain, which is interrupted only by einzelenen weathered volcanic cones. Chalcatzingo was the central place to function as an important point on the trade routes from the south into the basin of Mexico. In its vicinity around 60 small, simultaneous settlements have been proven. While the earliest evidence of human activity are recognized at this point in the 15th century BC, is the heyday of the 8th century. This time also the numerous rock carvings can be assigned.

The site is spread over two dozen artificial terraces (also: Cerro de la Cantera ) on the western alluvial fan of the Cerro de Chalcatzingo are located. On the Terrace Plaza is a 1 with the dwellings of the local upper class. Terrace 25 has a recessed courtyard in the middle of a large, molded in relief from blocks of stone altar.

The largest structure of Chalcatzingo is structure 4, a nearly square platform with approximately 70 meters on each side. Under the floors of residential numerous tombs of high-ranking individuals were found, whose offerings include jewelry made of jade and typical of the Olmec culture concave mirror pyrite.

Reliefs

In the shallow part of the locality several stelae have been found which bear pictorial representations. Most of the reliefs (there are 34 counted ) is located in the near-vertical rock surfaces at the foot of the mountain. Later rockfalls have the reliefs partially covered or displaced. Another group of rock carvings can be found north of the first and was performed on the surface of large boulders. The theme here is the representation of human persons with costume elements of the Olmecs, which may reflect local rulers. The names of the reliefs in the literature are not uniform.

Relief I

The first discovered and largest relief is located on a vertical slab of rock and is covered by other boulders partially. In the center of the scene to a height shown in very abbrevierter form is ( also evident in several plant above the cave ), flow out of the large volutes, which are expressed with great certainty the waving of caves draft. In the cave, sitting on a stone throne a person with a large headdress. She holds with both hands horizontally in front of the chest with an ornate scrolls edged object. This attitude often found in Olmec representations.

The scenes will turn up completed by three objects that might represent clouds. Anyway, fall out of them down numerous drops. This right here to see the topic of rain, which recurs in other reliefs.

Relief VI

The topic of lush plants is symbolized here by the very realistic mapped branch of a pumpkin plant.

Relief VII

A cloud, falling out of raindrops is also depicted on this relief. No really convincing interpretation has been proposed for the nature, the falling raindrops.

Relief II

On a partially heavily eroded boulder is a scene with two jaguars that attack two people. The Jaguars wear on your head a headdress. Below the top ( in the rotated image ) lies with outstretched arms, an apparently helpless person. The lower Jaguar is hard to see, but his tail seems to be separated and spouting blood.