Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca head facts for kids

The Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca head is a small head made of terracotta, which is a type of baked clay. It was probably once part of a larger statue or figure. This interesting object was found in 1933 in the Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca area, which is in the Toluca Valley of Mexico. It was buried with other items in an ancient grave.

The head looks a lot like art from Ancient Rome. Because of this, some people believe it's proof that Romans might have traveled to the Americas long before Christopher Columbus. This idea is strongly supported by an archaeologist named Romeo H. Hristov. However, there are also other ideas about how the head ended up in Mexico.

How the Head Was Found

The Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca head was discovered by archaeologist José García Payón in 1933. He found it during an excavation, which is like a careful digging project to find old things.

The head was part of a "grave offering." This means it was placed in a burial site as a gift or important item for the person who died. It was found under three layers of a pyramid-like structure.

Along with the head, many other valuable items were found. These included objects made of gold, copper, turquoise, and other materials like rock crystal, jet, bone, shell, and pottery. Experts believe the burial happened between the years 1476 and 1510 AD. José García Payón didn't share information about the head until 1960.

Why Some Think It's Roman

In 2001, two researchers, Romeo H. Hristov and Santiago Genovés T., looked closely at the head. They wanted to figure out where it came from.

They found that the head was not made during the time of Spanish rule in Mexico. This made the idea of it being Roman more possible. A famous expert on Roman art, Bernard Andreae, also looked at the head. He said it was "without any doubt Roman." He believed it was made around the 2nd century A.D.

Andreae noted that the hairstyle and beard on the head looked like those from the time of the Severan emperors (193-235 A.D.). This was a popular style back then. Also, the original digging notes and the site itself showed no signs that someone might have secretly placed the head there later.

A special test called thermoluminescence was done in 1995. This test helps figure out how old clay objects are. The test showed the head was made sometime between 900 BC and 1250 AD. This confirmed that the head was very old and existed before Europeans came to the Americas.

Different Ideas About the Head

Researchers have thought of several ways the Roman-looking head could have ended up in ancient Mexico:

Was It a Trick?

One idea is that the head was a joke. An archaeologist named Paul Schmidt suggested that another archaeologist, Hugo Moedano, might have secretly put the head there. This would have been a prank on José García Payón, who was in charge of the dig.

However, José García Payón's son said his father was at the site when the head was found. Romeo Hristov believes these stories are just rumors. Since the people involved have passed away, it's impossible to know for sure if it was a trick.

Early European Visitors

Another idea is that an early European traveler brought the head to Mexico. The time period of the burial (1476-1510 AD) is when Europeans first started exploring the Americas. This was before the Spanish, led by Hernán Cortés, arrived in Mexico.

Hristov thinks this is possible but not very likely. Some historians have even thought about the possibility of Norse (Vikings) visiting the area. The head's unusual hat might even look a bit like Norse headgear.

Trade from Asia

A different idea is that the head traveled a very long way. It might have been traded or carried to Asia first. Then, it could have been brought to America across the Pacific Ocean by a Chinese or Indian ship. This idea was suggested in 1961 and has some supporters.

A Roman Shipwreck

Romeo Hristov believes the most likely explanation is that a Roman, Phoenician, or Berber ship somehow reached American shores. Perhaps the ship wrecked, and the head washed ashore.

Hristov points out that there's evidence of Romans, Phoenicians, and Berbers traveling to the Canary Islands (near Africa) a very long time ago. There was even a Roman settlement on one of the Canary Islands. However, another archaeologist, David Grove, says that if the head just washed ashore from a shipwreck, it doesn't mean Romans "discovered" the New World.

See also

In Spanish: Cabeza de Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca para niños