Quicuilco , ast. Cuicuilco , letters. "Place of prayer" or "place of the rainbow" is an ancient city in the central highlands of Mexico on the south coast of Lake Texcoco , southeast of the Valley of Mexico City .
| Ancient city | |
| Quicuilco | |
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The city was inhabited in the middle and late formation period of the Mesoamerican chronology (about 700 BC. To 150 BC. E.). Thus, Cuicuilco was probably the oldest city in the Valley of Mexico City, which existed approximately at the same time as the Olmec civilization, and its inhabitants were the forerunners of the Teotihuacan culture.
History
Quicuilco was originally a settlement of farmers, but from an early period traces of religious practice have been witnessed, including stone offerings and funeral gifts in the form of ceramics . Over time, a large ceremonial center arises here, around which a city grows with a pyramid, a central square and streets. Near the city there were several shallow reservoirs, which were fed by the waters flowing from the nearest hills of Sakayuk and Sakaltepetl . During the heyday of the city, its population was about 20,000 people. The remains of agricultural terraces , various buildings, fortifications, irrigation ditches and canals are found here.
According to archaeologists, Quicuilco played an important role as a local center until the emergence of Teotihuacan . At the time pyramids and public buildings were being built in Quicuilco, six small communities arose on the site of Teotihuacan, which united over time.
The city was abandoned around 150-200. n e. after the eruption of the nearby Schitle volcano, although much later the area around the city was re-populated. Ceramics and other evidence suggests that the population of the city, fleeing the consequences of the eruption, moved north and joined the population of Teotihuacan near the northern coast of Lake Texcoco.
Archaeological site
The area where the city of Cuicuilco was located is covered with a thick layer of frozen volcanic lava. Lava field with an area of about 80 square meters. km It is known as Pedrega de San Angel, and includes, in particular, the foot of Mount Akhusko and the nearest coast of the lake. Studies in 1956 showed that uneven lava layers, the depth of which in some places reaches 10 meters, were one of the main factors in the conservation of Quicuilco.
The remains of the ancient city are partially covered by modern urban development - buildings belonging to the National University of Mexico , in connection with which excavation of only part of the ancient city is possible. Some of the structures discovered during the excavations of 1990 - a round pyramid on the square and several small agricultural structures - were destroyed during the construction of a multi-story business center. In this regard, the true size of Quicuilco is difficult to evaluate.
Image Gallery
Archaeologist Byron Cummings discovered and named this “ kivu ” by analogy with the pueblo shrines. The ritual purpose is unknown.
Exposition of the Cuicuilco Museum: ceramic figurines and vessels.
A stone sculpture discovered at the base of a large pyramid. It dates from the classical period (800 BC-200 BC)
Exposition of the Cuikuilco Museum: tools (stupas, cutting tools, vessels)
Exposition of the Cuicuilco Museum: jewelry
Exposition of the Cuicuilco Museum: Bowls
The exposition of the Cuikuilco Museum: "milk" (a tool for grinding corn). The figure above shows how this tool was used.
Exposition of the Cuikuilco Museum: clay figurines with decorations.
Links
Literature
- Adams, Richard EW, “Prehistoric Mesoamerica.” University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma, 1991.
- Muller, F. "La cerámica de Cuicuilco B: Un rescate arqueológico." INAH, México, 1990.
- Wolf, E. and A. Palerm. “Sistema de riego en el Pedregal.” In “Agricultura y Civilización en Mesoamerica, Secretaria de Educación Pública”, colección SepSententas, México, 1972.