At Least 1000-Year Old Yacata Pyramid In Mexico Found

Pulse

oi-Staff

By Staff

Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 11:00

Archaeologists have discovered a Yacata pyramid that could date anywhere between 300 A.D. and 850 A.D., and could be at least a thousand year old. The monument was found in Ario de Rosales municipality, Michoacan, in Mexico.

The archaeologists Jose Humberto Tellez and Apolinar Piceno Guillen found the monument buried in a weed-infested plot and notified the Michoacan I.N.A.H. ( National Institute of Anthropology and History) Center.

The I.N.A.H. Archaeologist Roberto Gonzalez Zuniga and other experts then verified and confirmed that it was indeed a Yacata. The 4 meters pyramid with a 20 by 14 meters rectangular base and 6 staggered bodies could have been part of a Classic period (300-850 AD) ceremonial center, possibly influenced by Teotihuacan, informed the specialist, adding there are other elements in the site that are currently in exploration stage.

"By its construction and materials, the structure found is similar to those at , near Patzcuaro, which is 9 meters high with a 35 meters base," said Zuniga.

The Yacata has two constructive stages; the lowest is better preserved because, apparently, in a late stage the highest was removed to conduct agricultural work.

Mazahua, Nahua and Otomi groups had dwelling in the region, so it is difficult to affirm at the moment which of these cultures built the structure; however judging by its location, the expert said it is not Purepecha. .

The I.N.A.H. would be conducting a systematic cover of the area to register the main features of the monument using GPS system to determine its dimension and count on a graphic description to identify the site.

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