George And Audrey DeLange
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| Chalcatzingo Archaeological Ruins Are Located On And Around Cerro Chalcatzingo |
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Chalcatzingo Archaeological Ruins:The name "Chalcatzingo" is of Náhuatl origin and it has three meanings "Place most prized by the Chalcas", "Venerated place of sacred water" or "Place of precious jades". Chalcatzingo, located 120 kilometers southeast of Mexico City in the state of Morelos. It is located at the base of two large hills on the only good agricultural land for many miles in any direction. The site was occupied from the Early Formative Period to the Postclassic Period, reaching its peak of cultural development between 700-500 BC during the Middle Formative Period. Chalcatzingo's numerous bas-relief carvings date to the Middle Formative Period, and because of the similarities in style and symbols to the sculptures and monuments on the Gulf Coast, a relationship between Chalcatzingo and the Olmec People seems to exist.
This major site began to develop about 3,500 years ago when the Olmecs settled there, flourishing as a result of a form of agriculture based on terraces and hydraulic systems. From the year 1000 to 100 BC Chalcatzingo was a major political and religious center. A series of reliefs on the rock walls and in some of the constructions date from this period, the most famous being El Rey, Los Jaguares, and the stelae of El Cazador and La Reina. The on-site museum contains the ceremonial square, a pyramid with a round base and a ball court. There were many beautiful white blossomed trees called "Tree Morning Glory," Ipomoea arborescens, growing in the area. These trees are also called, Palo del Muerto, Palo Santo Trees, or Trompillo.
The very small museum and restrooms are clean.
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| Looking West Toward Cerro Delgado | Looking West Toward Cerro Chalcatzingo About 1/3 The Way Up Is A Straw Shelter Protecting "El Rey" |
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| Walking Up The Road Is This Pyramid On Our Left (North) | A Little Further Is Another Small Structure And The Museum |
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| It's Only A Short Walk Up This Hill To "El Rey" | "Hey, I'm Only About A Hundred Meters And It Looks A Long Way Up!" Actually About A Half Kilometer! |
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| View Of Cerro Delgado From "El Rey" Shelter On Cerro Chalcatzingo | "El Rey" Shelter On Cerro Chalcatzingo |
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| Here Is The "EL Rey" Shelter But This Object is Not "El Rey" They Are Monuments Six And Seven | Wow! Look At The View From "El Rey"! Popocatepetl Volcano In Distant North! |
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| Well George! This Is "El Rey" | "El Rey" Also Known As Monument One |
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| This Is What George Was Pointing At Monument Six, Squash Plant | Definitely Not "El Rey" Badly Eroded, Monument Seven, Animal Crouching Atop A Scroll |
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| George Has Seen These At Many Sites In The USA They Are Used To Make Paint They Are At The "El Rey" Shelter | This "Tree Morning Glory" Ipomoea arborescens Grew At The Base Of Cerro Chalcatzingo |
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Chalcatzingo Page Two
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