Chalcatzingo    **

An important archaeological site in Morelos, Chalcatzingo is not our usual kind of ruin; in fact it just qualifies for an entry in this guide. It consists mainly of ancient rock reliefs scattered over a scenic area between two immense rock towers, but is well worth the visit, if not for the fact that this is one of the few important Olmec sites in this part of Mexico.

The zone lies five kilometres east of the small town of Jonacatepec. The road is well marked but ends in a very rough track just before the ruins are actually reached. There is no public transport here apart from taking a taxi from the village.

History.

Culture: Olmec

We know that Chalcatzingo was one of the first properly settled locations in Central Mexico. The two pillars of rock that frame the site obviously must have taken on deep religious significance from early times and drawn the first community. The site came into contact with Olmec traders from around 1500BC and it was then that it began to develop and become a very important spiritual and trading centre. Between 700 and 500BC, Chalcatzingo saw its zenith when most of the structures and rock carvings were made.

After then, the site began a slow but gradual decline as other powers such as Cuicuilco and Monte Alban eclipsed its trading power culminating of course in the rise of Teotihuacan, whose inhabitants visited Chalcatzingo to leave some pictographs and a ball court. People continued to worship here right into the Post-Classic period. But after the Conquest, the site was abandoned and forgotten until a rainstorm in 1932 exposed several rock reliefs and revealed its existence to the world.

For more about other Olmec cities, see Cultural History.

Tour.