La Quemada facts for kids
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La Quemada
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Salón de las Columnas
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| Location | Villanueva Municipality, Zacatecas, Mexico |
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| History | |
| Periods | 300 to 1200 AD |
| Cultures | Chalchihuites |
| Site notes | |
| Management | Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia |
| Website | Zona Arqueológica La Quemada |
La Quemada is an ancient archaeological site in Mexico. It is sometimes called Chicomóztoc. You can find it in the Villanueva Municipality in Zacatecas, about 56 kilometers south of Zacatecas City. It's located right off Federal Highway 54, which goes from Zacatecas to Guadalajara.
Contents
What is the History of La Quemada?
Because La Quemada is far from the main areas of ancient Mesoamerica, historians and archaeologists have many ideas about its past. They have tried to connect it to different ancient cultures.
What are the Theories About La Quemada?
Some people think La Quemada might be the legendary Chicomostoc. This was a place where the Aztecs supposedly stayed during their long journey. Others believe it was a site for the Caxcan people or a strong fort for the Teotihuacán civilization. Some even thought it was a trading post for the Toltecs. It could also have been a city built by local groups living north of the Río Grande de Santiago.
In 1615, a historian named Fray Juan de Torquemada suggested that La Quemada was a stop for the Aztecs. He thought they left older people and children here during their migration. Later, in 1780, Francisco Javier Clavijero also linked the site to Chicomostoc. He said the Aztecs stayed there for nine years on their way to Anahuac. These ideas led to the belief that La Quemada was the mythical "Seven Caves."
When Was La Quemada Important?
Archaeological studies since the 1980s have shown that La Quemada was active between 300 and 1200 AD. This was during the Classical and early Postclassical periods. It existed at the same time as the Chalchihuites culture. This culture was known for its mining activities.
La Quemada, along with other sites like Las Ventanas and El Ixtepete, formed a large trade network. This network connected northern Zacatecas all the way to the Valley of Mexico. It was linked to the powerful city of Teotihuacán (350-700 AD). This network helped trade many goods, including minerals, salt, shells, and obsidian.
Between 700 and 1100 AD, La Quemada became a very important trade center in its region. It started to compete with other nearby sites. During this time, the city also became more like a fortress. A large wall, about four meters high and wide, was built on the north side. They also removed some stairways to control who could move around inside the city.
Archaeologists have found signs of fire in many parts of the site. This suggests that the city might have been violently destroyed or abandoned. This apparent destruction by fire is why the site is called la (ciudad) quemada, which means "the burnt city."
What Does the Site Look Like?
La Quemada has many different-sized masonry platforms built on a hill. These platforms were the foundations for buildings. On the south and southeast sides, you can see many ceremonial buildings. Some of these have sunken patios and altar-pyramids, which are common in Mesoamerican architecture.
On the west side, there are platforms that seem to be for homes rather than ceremonies. All the buildings at La Quemada were made from rhyolite slabs. This is a type of volcanic rock found in the nearby hill.
To build the structures, workers used a special mortar made of clay and plant fibers. Over time, this mortar wears away, causing the walls to crumble. The masonry walls were also covered with layers of clay stucco. Today, only small pieces of this original finish remain.
Studies show that the site was built in different stages. New structures were often built on top of older ones. This large site, with its long roads and many smaller connected sites, is truly unique among Mesoamerican archaeological places.
What Are the Main Structures at La Quemada?
The archaeological zone is divided into three main areas: the "Ciudadela," the "Palace," and the "Temple." The Ciudadela has a long wall around the north side of the site.
Salón de las Columnas (Columns Hall)
This large room is about 41 by 32 meters. It was probably more than five meters tall before a fire destroyed it. Inside, eleven columns held up the roof. We don't know its exact purpose, but studies from the 1950s suggest it was used for ceremonies. These ceremonies might have involved rituals or offerings.
Calzada Mayor (Main Avenue)
This wide road stretches about 400 meters from the plaza in front of the Columns Hall. Many smaller roads branch off from it, crossing the Malpaso Valley. To build this road, workers made stone walls on the sides. Then, they filled the space between the walls with stone slabs and a pavement of clay and pebbles. This road is very impressive compared to the rest of the site. There are also signs of two altars at its main entrance. Recent studies have found over 170 kilometers of these ancient roads connecting other smaller sites in the valley.
Juego de Pelota (Ballgame Court)
This structure looks like a typical Mesoamerican ballgame court. It is built on a huge platform. It measures 70 by 15 meters and has the characteristic "I" shape. The side walls are very wide, like those of the Columns Hall. Sadly, like many ancient sites in Mexico, this one has been damaged by people.
Pirámide Votiva (Votive Pyramid)
This pyramid is more than 10 meters tall. Its steep sides make it stand out. In 1995, during Corona Nuñez's work, parts of a stairway were found on its south side. Over time, the middle and top parts of the pyramid fell down. You can still see these fallen pieces today. Originally, the stairway went all the way to the top, where there was likely a room or temple made of materials that would not last.
Escalinata (Stairway)
About 30 meters west of the Votive Pyramid, this stairway was found. It was the main way to reach the higher parts of the site. It was built in two stages. The first part was probably round. The second part was built over the first and was taller. At some point, this main stairway was blocked off with a wall. This was likely done for defense, to limit access to the site.
Other Platforms
On the west side of the hill, there are many other platforms or terraces. Recent studies suggest these were residential areas, where people lived. So far, 25 structures built around 650 AD have been found here.
Muralla (Wall)
This large protective wall is very impressive. It is four meters high and three meters thick. It is located on the edges of the cliffs around the north and northeast parts of the site. This wall was probably built towards the end of La Quemada's time. It shows how much the city's residents faced problems and how determined they were to stay there.
Ciudadela (Citadel)
This area is at the highest part of the site. Several buildings have been found here. They were probably used for both ceremonies and defense.
Pirámide de los Sacrificios (Sacrifices Pyramid)
This structure, also known as Terrace 18, is believed to be where ancient rituals were performed. These rituals might have involved offerings to the gods.
Site Museum
There is a museum right at the archaeological zone. Its design fits in with the landscape and the ancient site. It uses stone slabs and stucco, just like the original buildings. The museum shows how the region developed over time. It has a model of the site and videos about other ancient settlements in Zacatecas, like Loma San Gabriel and Chalchihuites.
See also
In Spanish: La Quemada para niños
