Coatetelco archaeological site facts for kids
Main pyramid
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| Location | Miacatlán, Morelos Mexico |
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| Coordinates | 18°43′36″N 99°19′44″W / 18.72667°N 99.32889°W |
| History | |
| Periods | Late Preclassical Mesoamerican Period |
| Cultures | Tlahuica and Nahuatl |
Coatetelco (also spelled Cuatetelco) is an ancient archaeological site. It is located in Mexico, near the Coatetelco Lagoon. You can find it about two kilometers from Alpuyeca, in the Miacatlán area of Morelos state. This site was most important between 500 and 150 BCE. It is close to another famous ancient city, Xochicalco.
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What Does Coatetelco Mean?
The name Coatetelco can have a few different meanings.
- One idea is "place of snakes' mounds." This means a place where there are hills or structures built to honor snakes.
- Another spelling, Cuatetelco, comes from the Náhuatl language. It could mean "mound place between trees" or "tree place on a mound."
- Cuahtetelco might mean "place of the stone snake."
- The Tlahuica people, who lived here, had a symbol for Quahtetelco. It showed a tree over a pyramid. This also points to "place of the tree-mound."
A Look Back in Time
Long, long ago, at the end of the Ice Age, people lived in this area. They found shelter in caves and rocks. Their food came from hunting animals, gathering plants, and fishing in the waters.
Later, during the Early Formative period, people started living in small villages. These villages had fewer than 100 people. They began farming near rivers. They also made pottery and some of the first clay figures.
In the Mid-Preclassical period (900–500 BCE), more villages appeared along the Chalma River. Farming was very important to them. The pottery they made had its own unique style, but it also looked a bit like pottery from other parts of Mexico.
History of Coatetelco
Archaeologists have found signs that people lived at Coatetelco for a very long time. Even though some buildings are from much later, the site was active during the time of the powerful Teotihuacan city (around 450-600 CE). Most of the buildings you see today are from the Late Postclassical period (1350–1521), especially from the time of the Mexica people. The buildings were often rebuilt in four different stages over time.
Coatetelco was at its busiest during the Late Preclassical period (500–150 BCE). During this time, the communities here had between 250 and 500 people.
After the nearby city of Xochicalco became less important around 1000 CE, Miacatlán became the main center in the region. We know more about the later history of Coatetelco from old written records and special ancient books called codices.
Exploring the Ancient City
Coatetelco was a medium-sized city in ancient times. The main part of the city has been dug up and put back together by archaeologists. This area includes a ballgame court, a small pyramid-temple, and other buildings. They are all grouped around a public square. There is also a small museum at the site where you can see some of the things found there.
Archaeologist Raúl Arana led the excavations at Coatetelco in the 1970s. He also oversaw the rebuilding of the ancient structures. Since then, smaller digs have happened to keep the site in good shape.
The buildings at Coatetelco are made of earth cores covered with carved stones. Some parts still have their original walls and stairs. You can even see traces of stucco, a type of plaster, on them. The buildings are arranged around a main square, following the natural shape of the land.
Western Platform
The western platform is mostly destroyed today. It once had three structures with two stairways. At the top, there are remains of stucco floors and two stone "boxes." Next to this platform is a smaller one with two steps. Archaeologists found stone cylinder objects here, but they are not sure what they were used for.
Ballgame Court
The ballgame court is located behind the western platform. Finding a ballgame court here tells us that Coatetelco was an important ceremonial place. The ancient ballgame was not just for fun; it also had religious and political meanings. This court is closed at one end and faces north-south. You can still see traces of stucco on its surface. Archaeologists also found remains of a tzompantli (a skull rack) near the court.
This ballgame court is quite small. During excavations under the main stairway, archaeologists found special burials of important people. These burials contained hundreds of offerings, like pottery, obsidian (volcanic glass), jade, and copper-bronze items. They also found a group of basalt tools used for grinding corn on a metate (a grinding stone). These tools were carefully placed next to the ballgame court and can still be seen today.
Extension Platform
The extension platform is connected to the ballgame court and a circular building. It has a round shape. It was probably built to honor Ehécatl, the ancient Wind God.
Eastern Platform
The eastern platform has several buildings that might have been altars. Its importance for ceremonies was confirmed when archaeologists found many burial places here, both for groups of people and for individuals. Tombs and different kinds of offerings were discovered in the altars and stairs.
Incense Altar
The incense altar was named because a stone sculpture of a female figure was found here. Also, several clay incense burners were discovered during the digs. These burners look like large ladles with long handles, similar to those shown in ancient books like the Mendocino Codex.
Xipe-Totec Platform
The Xipe-Totec platform is the last part of a connected group of buildings. It got its name because a stone sculpture of the god Xipe-Totec was found here. This is also supported by its connection to the circular altar and a special stone called a temalacatl. This stone was found in the ruins of a chapel from the 1500s. In the Mexica religion, the temalacatl was a stone used for sacrifices and was linked to the god Xipe-Totec. The sculpture was broken, missing its head and feet. It is thought that the Spanish, who arrived in the 1500s, broke these ancient artifacts.
Cuauhtlitzin Temple
The Cuauhtlitzin temple is known as the main temple because it is the tallest building at the site. A wide set of stairs with side railings leads to the top. You can still see parts of the temple that once stood there. The pyramid's levels are built on a slope and covered with stucco. At the bottom of the stairway, there is a badly damaged stone slab called a stele.
During the excavations, archaeologists found a stone sculpture of a female figure. This sculpture was identified as Cuauhtlitzin. It was a sculpted head hidden inside a carved stone vault.
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See also
In Spanish: Coatetelco para niños
