Izapa

Izapa is an important Pre-Columbian city in Mesoamerica. With Chiapa de Corzo, Takalik Abaj, Kaminaljuyu and some smaller places of discovery it is mostly about the early - influenced by the Mokaya culture or the Olmecs - counted sites.

Location

Izapa is located in the southeast of the Mexican state of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala - the border crossing on the Puente- Talismán is about eleven kilometers away. The restored in parts of ruins located only about twelve kilometers south of Tacaná volcano at an altitude of about 260 m above sea level. inst. Near the small Río Izapa, which flows a few kilometers further south in the Río Suchiate flows.

History

Probably since about 1500 BC populated and - after several interim crisis periods - around 1200 AD finally abandoned site reached its peak in the period from about 300 BC to 300 AD It was not until. perceived in the 1930s and 1940s by the archaeological research and first studied; Most of the discoveries are classified in the period from about 600 BC to about 300/400 AD.

Economy

In the area thrive cocoa plants; dried cocoa beans may have been - in addition to gum ( chicle ) and bird feathers - exported as merchandise in other areas of Mesoamerica, which may have contributed to the economic and cultural wealth of the city.

Importance

Izapa is one with an area of ​​more than three square kilometers of the largest cities in the pre-Columbian era; the number of former residents is estimated to be about 10,000. Most researchers commonly assume that she was under olmekischem influence in its early days and later became a link between the early civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Maya; few archaeologists consider the culture of Izapa as a largely original and independent. Due to its crucial importance and because of astronomical and geographical measurements, some researchers suspect here the origin of the Mesoamerican 260 -day calendar.

Ruins

Only about ten percent of the area of Izapa have been scientifically studied extensively; today's main group is the longest populated complex 'F'; the groups ' A' to ' E' are largely natural and lie south of the CF200. The reconstructed buildings represent about 1.5% of that of many - man made by human hands - mounds ( mounds ) surface covered dar.

Architecture

The archaeological site includes eight subgroups with probably more than 100 artificially raised mounds of which were covered early in part with large rounded river stones of the nearby Río Izapa, whereas the later - about ten feet high - buildings were more organized and on several levels levied. There were temple pyramids with upstream steps, squares, and probably two ball courts, where, however, the transverse -mounted pitch ends of the late period are missing and the side - otherwise covered with sloping embankments - ' galleries ' are rather flat. Probably the late buildings with stucco and paintings were covered, but it has not received anything.

Steles

The total of 89 stelae of Izapa be dated to the period between 100 BC and 300/400 AD; some of the later stelae bear in relief scenes, as they are at the same time can also be found in the Maya area. No stele but provided with a date or other Schriftglyphen - rather, profile representations of unknown gods or Priest-Kings that are not static - representative, but shown in active behaviors found. Especially in the south of the CF200 located group 'B' of Izapa, there are also some strange-looking columnar or pillar-like Steles with round stones ( heads? ) As the upper completion.

Altars

So far 61 ' altars ' found, some of which are designed zoomorphic; others are simple smooth stone slabs. Whether they all served to victims purposes is unclear. Already in Izapa is a close connection between the altar and stone stele, located a few centuries later, in various Mayan sites ( Tikal, Quiriguá and others) will find it.

Other

In addition, three monuments were discovered in Izapa, which are referred to as ' Throne ', as well as 68 other sculpted objects you - also due to their poor state of preservation - some could not even classify.

Storage

Some of the stelae and other finds from Izapa are on display in a hall of the newly established Museum of Tapachula (see web link).

Pictures

Stela 21 with Enthauptungsszene

Stela 25 with a small figure in front of a plant on which a bird sits

Small Bearded Figurine with an animal mask and headgear

Stela 5

The already discovered in 1940 and the exceptionally large-sized stele with the number 5 (height 2,50 m, width 1.50 m, thickness 0.50 m ) consists of volcanic andesite rock and is the most complex and unusual monument, which has been found so Izapa. The stele shows a life - or world tree in the middle, in whose crown-like outspread branches a little bird sitting. On the ground floor there are multiple people sitting cross-legged; they in turn are arranged in smaller groups - it could be either ruler or priest-kings, which Gifts, Tribute and offerings are brought; behind the main characters sit servant spanned screens or fronds. Left and right of the tree trunk there are two parties with peculiar beak masks - the left seems to be a tree trunk entsteigenden Figure assist; on her shoulder and her head sitting two birds. Left and right of the tree crown are each large abstract glyphs or cloud-like formations.

Although a conclusive interpretation of the scenes or details shown yet to make the figure richness and almost narrative representation, the Stela 5 to one of the most extraordinary objects found not only in Izapa, but in the entire cultural area of ​​Central America. Artistic remarkable is the fact that the different levels of representation are not strictly separated from each other, but are linked together by the tree, and other details.