Zohapilco facts for kids

Zohapilco is an ancient place in the Central Highlands of Mexico. It's located near Tlapacoya Hill, right by what used to be Lake Chalco. People lived here a very long time ago, between 5500 and 2200 BC. Another similar ancient site called Tlapacoya is also close by.

Zohapilco was an important settlement, especially known for having some of the earliest pottery ever found in this region. It was also a main site for the Tlatilco culture, an ancient group of people. There are also many links between Zohapilco and the famous Olmec culture.

Unlike some ancient sites that were in caves, Zohapilco was an open-air settlement. This means people lived outside, which was common before villages became more developed. The people at Zohapilco mostly found their food by hunting and gathering. They didn't rely much on farming. Even though people lived there during both wet and dry seasons, we don't know for sure if they stayed in one place all year round.

Ancient Pottery and Figures

Zohapilco is famous for a very old ceramic figure found there. It's the oldest one discovered in Middle America so far! This small figure is about 5000 years old and measures about 5.7 centimeters long.

The Pregnant Woman Figure

The figure is an abstract shape of a pregnant woman, broken at her middle. It has small marks for eyes and a bump for a nose. Her belly is made to look very swollen. Archaeologists believe this figure was connected to ideas about fertility, meaning it might have been used to wish for successful births or good harvests.

Many ceramic figures from that time are found broken. Experts think they might have been made during special times, like a crisis or an important event. People might have used them to show dedication, then broken them once the event was over.

Other Ceramic Finds

Other pottery found at Zohapilco was made from a material called Tecomate. This material was used to create bowls and gourds. These pots are usually a light brown color with a red stripe around the rim.

Farming and Food Sources

During excavations at Zohapilco, scientists found grains of teosinte. Teosinte is a wild plant that is an ancestor of modern maize (corn). This discovery suggests that people at Zohapilco might have been starting to farm a little.

Limited Farming

Even though corn was already being grown in other parts of Central Mexico, the climate and height of Zohapilco might have made farming difficult. It's also possible that the wild teosinte grew better in that area than domesticated corn. So, even with teosinte found, farming was probably not the main way people got their food.

Hunting and Gathering

The people of Zohapilco likely got most of their food from the rich resources around the lake. They used the lakeshore to find many wild animals and plants. They also hunted animals like deer, rabbits, and waterfowl. Other wild species from the surrounding areas were also part of their diet.

History of the Settlement

The earliest time period at Zohapilco is called the Playa phase. During this time, the people used tools for chipping, grinding, cutting, and scraping.

Volcanic Interruption

Around 3000 BC, during the Middle Archaic age, people stopped living in the area for a while. This break happened because of a volcanic eruption. However, people returned to the site later, during the Late Archaic period. At this point, Zohapilco became home to the Tlatilco Culture.

Geography of Zohapilco

The land around Zohapilco was a valley with a central lake system. It had grassy areas with thorny woodlands and scrub plants at higher elevations. There were also swampy lands around the lake. Mountains and hills surrounded the entire area.

See also

In Spanish: Zohapilco para niños