Chimalhuacán (archaeological site)
Chimalhuacán (Spanish:
The Chimalhuacán glyph appears on the Quinatzin codex, symbolizing a round shield on a hill, has an alternative interpretation, the name Chimalltepetl = "Hill shields" or "shields site"; most probably referring to the "Chimalhuache" hill, mountain located within the municipality and near the site.[1]
It is considered one of the cradles of Mesoamerican civilization due to the finding in 1984, of the "Chimalhuacán Man", whose remains are some 12,000 old.
History
The Chimalhuacán
The site, also known as "Los Pochotes", one of the few late Postclassical period (1200-1521 CE.) known examples of palace architecture in the Basin of Mexico. Although the place was inhabited from the preclassical or Formative, the building, a place or tecpan (Sp), that now can be seen corresponds to the village founded by Chichimec’s towards 1250 AD. Chimalhuacán would become an important Texcoco tributary.[2]
Occupation Stages
Chimalhuacán had three main occupation epochs identified:
Late Preclassical period
Probably founded and originally occupied between 400 a 100 BCE.
Classical period
There is occupation evidence during the classical period, between 200 and 450 CE.
Postclassical period
There are two occupation stages reported, during the early (800 to 1000 CE) and late (1100 to 1521 CE) Postclassical
Relevant historical events
Chimalhuacán registered events:
Nezahualcóyotl Crowning
Before the
Moctezuma I - First Visit
Moctezuma I or Moctezuma Ilhuicamina was twice at this town, perhaps due to the closeness of the Texcoco Lake to Tenochtitlan. At a point in time he was taken prisoner by the Chalcas, whom offered his life to Huejotzingo, they rejected the offer. Then he was taken before Maxtla (Tlatoani Tepaneca and last independent governor of the Azcapotzalco Altépetl (1426–1428), with the same purpose, but Maxtla was not interested. Cuateotl freed him and advised him to go back to México via Chimalhuacán.[1]
Moctezuma I – Second Visit
The second time Moctezuma was when he accompanied Netzahualcoyotl, after their triumph against the Tepaneca.[1]
Structures
The archaeological area approximate covers one hectare. Architectural remains in the area correspond to a residential area of Azteca phase III and it has been determined that it is a governor palace. Spaniards destroyed the Chimalhuacán buildings and city and built their chapels.[3]
Structure remains
Pleistocene Traces
According to archaeological vestiges, Chimalhuacán formed part of the lacustrine plain of Texcoco Lake, Mammoths and Bison lived you the shores of the lake.[4]
According to the Institute Mexiquense investigator, Maximinio Quintero,
Site Museum
Chimalhuacán archaeological zone has a site museum, with pleistocene fauna exhibits, and other items.[4]
19°25′N 98°54′W / 19.417°N 98.900°W
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f "Enciclopedia de los Municipios de Mexico Estado de Mexico Chimalhuacán" [Encyclopedia of Mexico State municipalities, Chimalhuacán.]. Mexican government. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ "Chimalhuacán, Bajo la sombra de los volcanes" [Chimalhuacán, Under the sahdow of the volcanoes]. Arqueología Mexicana (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- INAH Web Page (in Spanish). Archived from the originalon 10 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Chimalhuacán, ciudad milenaria" [Chimalhuacán , millenary city]. El Sol de México. Organización Editorial Mexicana. November 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ INAHWeb Page.
References
- Enciclopedia de los Municipios de Mexico Estado de Mexico Chimalhuacán". Chimalhuacán denomination. (Spanish)
External links
- Chimalhuacán Municipality, Official website (Spanish)
- Municipality Portal (Spanish)
- Federal Government Portal (Spanish)
- State of México, official web site (Spanish)