Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Archaeological Sites in Chiapas
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
Mayan Archaeological Sites in Yucatán
Archaeological Sites in Oaxaca
Arqueología Chihuahua
Arqueología Campeche
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Southern Mexico
The site covers an area of approximate 20 kilometers.
Together with El Pedregoso, El Chapín, and Moctezuma, form one of the most important groups of ancient settlements in northern Mexico.
The area has been considered the northern border of Mesoamerica. It was the center of action of a large cultural region that extended to what is today the state of Durango. In its environment there are more than 700 pre-Hispanic mines, so this area has been considered one of the most importat mining activity in Mesoamerica.
Alta Vista was the most important ceremonial center in the early period of the Chalchihuites culture (200-900/950 A.D). It was founded between the years 400 and 450 by priests linked to Teotihuacan, and reached its heyday around 700-900 A.D.
Its name is related to a nearby ranch that existed in the early twentieth century, at the time when archaeologist Manuel Gamio visited the area.
The scholars reveal that according to the layout of the site, the inhabitants had advanced mathematical and astronomical knowledge, since it was built with a precise orientation with a triangulation in the landscape, starting from the Sierra de Chalchihuites, taking as reference the summit of Picacho Pelón, Cerro Chapín and Colina del Pedregoso, thus being able to anticipate the changes of the seasons of the year.
Altavista – Chalchihuites
Must see Buildings
There are two regular size civic plazas, each has an altar in the Center.
Plaza de la Luna (Moon Plaza)
North is the Plaza de la Luna, the earliest structure in the site. The plaza has a square base with sloping talud panes and vestiges of a chamber with 28 columns that were supporting a roof; the columns are placed into four parallel rows of seven columns, each column has a different size and shape. That is why this structure is also known as the Hall of Columns and it is obviously related with the Lunar Cycle of 28 days.
Escalera de Gamio (Stairway )
It may have been an access to an upper structure and there was a multiple burial with rich offerings including ceramic vessels. It seems this temple was dedicated to the cult of Tezcatlipoca, the god of the nocturnal sky.
Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun)Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun)
It has a temple on the top and inside is a crypt with three sequential high-status burials.
Templo del Cráneo (Skull Temple)
El Laberinto (Labyrinth)
The most outstanding structure is The Labyrinth, it consists of a corridor surrounded by walls with several pilasters assamble aligned with the Picacho hill, that is why the compund reflects the equinox sunrise over this hill and the single zenith sun passage at summer solstice. It is considered by archaeologists as a solar calendar instrument.
Altavista – Chalchihuites Site Museum
The museum housed in a modern architectural complex display more than 350 pieces recovered on the site in a large circular room. Of these pieces stand out the glasses decorated with the eagle and the snake, guajes decorated with natural pigments, rings made with nutshell and inlays of turquoise and malachite and a marker of ball game.
Location
This site is located 229 km northwest of the city of Zacatecas (approximately two and a half hours) and 6 kilometers west of the municipal capital of Chalchihuites, road to Rancho Colorado-Chalchihuites, Zac.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs.
English 
Español de México 
