Archaeologists find a Yacata pyramid in Mexico

August 17th, 2009 - 3:12 pm ICT by ANI  

Washington, August 17 (ANI): Archaeologists have found a Yacata pyramid covered with weed in a plot located in Ario de Rosales municipality, Michoacan, in Mexico.

According to a report in www.artdaily.org, the pyramid was found by archaeologists Jose Humberto Tellez and Apolinar Piceno Guillen.

After retiring part of the weed from the monument, they took photographs and notified Michoacan INAH Center.

Archaeologist Roberto Gonzalez Zuniga went to Tipitarillo, observed the pictures and verified it is a Yacata, a base with a rectangular form that combines semi circular elements.

After covering the area, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) expert ratified there is one 4 meters pyramid with a 20 by 14 meters rectangular base and 6 staggered bodies.

The monument 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 Timbangato Archaeological Zone, near Patzcuaro, which is 9 meters high with a 35 meters base,” said Zuniga.

The Yacata has 2 constructive stages; the lowest is better preserved because, apparently, in a late stage the highest was removed to conduct agricultural work.

“It reached 25 meters long, 20 wide and 6 high,” said Zuniga.

Where today is Michoacan, Purepecha culture developed during Prehispanic times, but archaeologist Gonzalez Zuniga explained other groups inhabited there as well.

“Mazahua, Nahua and Otomi peoples dwelled here, so it is difficult to affirm at the moment which of these cultures built the structure; by its location, I can determine it is not Purepecha,” he said.

“First, we have to register main features of the site by conducting a systematic cover of the area, and plan a research project”, he added.

Architect Maria Lizbeth Aguilera Garibay, director of Michoacan INAH Center, declared that INAH Archaeological Salvage Direction has been asked for support to register the area with a GPS system, to determine its dimension and count on a graphic description to identify the site. (ANI)

Related Stories

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted in Health Science |

Subscribe