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
Archaeological site characterized by its impressive urban layout.
It shows magnificent pyramidal constructions in a circular shape, ball games and a residential area.
The culture developed in this place reached great proportions. Constructed roughly between 350 B.C.-350 A.D, in its heyday when the site covered more than 24,000 ha, and was inhabited by around 40,000 people. Guachimontones was an important commercial and ceremonial center.
Must see Buildings
The Guachimontones complex extends over 20 ha. on a gently sloping hill, offering views over the wide-open landscape. The enclosure is surrounded by a cluster of residential complexes composed of 40 circular constructions with associated ball games.
Within the site there are three important structures made of round, stepped pyramids, which are almost unique in the Mesoamerican tradition. They were constructed from a combination of stone, lime, and clay.
Los Guachimontones
“El Guachimontón”
The central structure has an estimated diameter of 99 meters with 12 rectangular platforms, although only five of them have been explored. In the center there is an altar of approximately 50 m. (165 feet) in diameter.
"La Iguana"
It is a structure with 10 platforms that connects with a ballgame. It is well preserved and it seems that it used to have geometric figures on one side.
An interesting feature in this Guachimontón is that at the top there is a vestige of a pole, this pole was used in the ritual of the “flyer”, where a person climbed up a trunk to dance on the top at the beat of the music; the presence of this poles also suggest the people in this site worshipped the wind god Ehécatl.
“El Azquelite”
It has a diameter of 115 m. (377 feet) and to the center is an altar of 38.5 m. (126 feet) in diameter and 10 m. (32 feet) in high, this structure is accompanied by 13 steps in concentric circles and an upper altar.
Juego de Pelota (Ball Court)
North to the circular pyramids there is a monumental ball court, especially for its time, it measures 111 meters long by 24 meters wide, and has the presence of complex and ingenious irrigation systems.
Location
It is located 1 km northeast of the town of Teuchitlán, Jal, an hour and a quarter from Guadalajara and almost the same distance from Tequila.
Hours
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 16:00 hrs.
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