Ancient Mesoamerica News Updates 2011, No. 25: 49 Archaeological Objects Presented to the Mexican Embassy in Germany Today a news item from Germany (currently I am in Bonn .) This Friday, April 15, 2011, The Germ goverment Archaeological Passed 49 objects to the Mexican embassy. The objects were received by embassador Francisco Nicolás González Díaz and include one large stone mask and 48 smaller stone objects which originally served as ear adornments. The objects are of unknown provenance and were confiscated at the Frankfurt international airport. The news was reported, among others, by the online version of the daily German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine (edited by AMaNU, photo: DAPD): 
Raubgrabungs-Gut aus grünem Granit - Dem mexikanischen Botschafter in Deutschland, Francisco Nicolás González Díaz, sind am Freitag in Wiesbaden 49 archäologische Fundstücke übergeben been, which had ensured the customs at Frankfurt Airport. The authorities believe that originate from granite-made mask and the 48 ear pieces of jewelry from illegal excavations. Already in 2004, the finds came as cargo to Germany. On Saturday, they are flown back to Mexico, where she will be issued not yet clear, according to the ambassador. The value of the finds, would amount to around 100 000 dollars, said a spokesman. For the ambassador was the only significant cultural and historical value ". Such pieces help my nation to understand the history of our country" (written by Stephanie Huber, source Frankfurter Allgemeine )
Ancient MesoAmerica News Updates 2011, No. 24: Costa Grande, Guerrero - Over 800 Rocks with Petroglyphs Registered by INAH During recent years researchers of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH-Conaculta) have registered over 800 rocks in the Costa Grande, Guerrero, with petroglyphs, incised or engraved graphic representations. The oldest petroglyphs may date to circa 3000 B.C., while the most recent petroglyphs may date from the period A.D. 1300-1500. The INAH posted the following bulletin on the subject yesterday, Tuesday April 5, 2011. The bulletin provides short descriptions of some of the most important petroglyphs (edited by AMaNU; photo: INAH): 
Studying ancient petroglyphs of the Costa Grande - Through the use of photographic filters recently applied to images of petroglyphs that are distributed along the Costa Grande of Guerrero, specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have been able to confirm the presence of anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, points and bars that served to counts that were recorded for thousands of years in the rocks and not visible to the naked eye. The researcher Ruben Manzanilla López, of the Directorate INAH Archaeological Salvage, said in the statement Guerrero is no record of more than 800 engraved rocks, and its largest presence is seen in the Costa Grande region, whose estimated age of 3000 BC to 750 AD, and where more than two decades the study carried out the rock art. La Costa Grande of Guerrero is a region covering over 300 miles long, between the bay of Acapulco in Guerrero and the mouth of the Balsas River within the limits of Michoacán. "The archaeological work in this area began in 1986 when he toured the area, which was a simple report with photographs and handmade background where some petroglyphs were interpreted, particularly Zihuatanejo.
"Last year was resumed this work in the towns of Coacoyul, La Perica, La Escondida, Soledad de Maciel and Murga, points at which the pre-Hispanic era tax settled province of the Mexica called Xihuatlán. In these places the second visit was made to verify the condition of the petroglyphs, and could corroborate the designs that had broken earlier, and the recording of other had not been seen with the naked eye in the years 80. "
This was expressed by the expert during his participation in the Permanent Conference of Archaeology whose lectures are held monthly at the Museo del Templo Mayor, where he explained that for this new record of the petroglyphs were used filters in the photographs of the petroglyphs, such as negative type and relief, in addition to using channels, yellow and green lights; It became evident with engraved designs on the rocks and obtained new evidence. "For example, in a petroglyph of Coacoyul were visualized concentric circles that were not registered, and it was clear that the small holes that have themselves were not of stone but had been made by man, and possibly served to some count, "said the archaeologist.
From the petroglyphs recorded and studied recently, those of Coacoyul, which is located 6 km from Zihuatanejo on this site was located in the courtyard of a house, recorded a rock 2 meters high by 2.5 wide, which presents an anthropomorphic figure of about 68 inches, with circular head, the body elongated and elaborate sit-down lines and lots of little dimples. " Manzanilla López abounded that this same rock, on one side, shows traces of sharpening of chisels. These prints have been calculated which were made between the Preclassic (2500 BC-200 AD) and Classic (200 - 650 AD).
"Near this site there are two stones with petroglyphs, the former has an account number, the other has several cavities that are known as little wells, elements may be used as mortars for grinding or to collect rainwater these cavities are circular and oval measuring approximately 10 centimeters in diameter by 6 deep. These pozuelos or eyes of God, as well as the name the locals are rather common in Guerrero, for example, only in the municipality of Petatlán 273 stones have been found with these characteristics, "the archaeologist of the INAH. Another
the sites that is recorded was that of La Perica, located one kilometer from Zihuatanejo, "there is a rock of 1.80 to 2 meters with a comb-like figure, it is observed with the representation of a head with a plume, concentric circles, and the drawing of a temple and a serpent, designs belonging to the Postclassic period, 450 to 1300 of our era. " In this same area, on top of a hill, he added Manzanilla López, was found another huge stone 1.40 by 1.30 meters, which is broken and apparently was dragged to the site, has solar representations (lines around discs) a circle divided into four parts and two Figures that appear cloudy or nose rings similar to those of Tlaloc, god of rain. "
On the other hand, the site of La Escondida was photographed a rock that is engraved with a circular shape, the face of a woman, an anthropomorphic body, small faces and wavy lines that appear to be representing streams. Figures from the late Postclassic period (1300-1500 AD). In the case of Soledad de Maciel, on the hill of Witchcraft was a petroglyph that the people call The ship, which has a solar representation, a character, two bullets in the opposite direction and wavy lines that would also make reference to a river ; given the elements recorded on the surface of this rock is thought to possibly be related to the theme of the conquest of a people, said Ruben Manzanilla.
Finally, in the town of Thompson's The Stone Monkey, which is eight meters long by two wide at its thickest part, has traces of soles, human bodies and a skull gritty Mexican style, which was recorded later, perhaps as evidence of mastery of this town. According to the archaeologist Ruben Manzanilla, these are just some examples of the enormous wealth created in the volcanic rocks of the Costa Grande, "which need to be preserved and maintained not only by specialists but for the communities where these "pieces of history," he concluded. (Source INAH)
Ancient Mesoamerica News Updates 2011, No. 23: Italy confiscate Archaeological Objects Nine Returns To Mexico Today, Tuesday, April 5, 2011, the Mexican daily newspaper El Reported That Universal Italy has returned nine Archaeological Which Were confiscate objects at the end of 2009 (edited by amanu; photo: El Universal / EFE): 
Italy delivery to Mexico archaeological - Italy gave Mexico on Tuesday nine antiquities illegally removed from that country and confiscated by Italian police in Turin and Bologna, northern Spain, in late 2009. The pieces, among which there are bottles, painted bowls and incense burner made in clay and terracotta, which are well preserved, dating from between 100 BC and 1,300 AD One of the most valuable, found at a market in Bologna clay is the representation of a warrior belonging to one of Western civilizations of Mexico, while the remaining eight were confiscated from a textile industry. The recovery of these parts are made in the framework of the UNESCO Convention on measures to be taken to prohibit the import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Core Commander policeman Rome Tutela Patrimonio Cultural, General Pasquale Muggeo, presented the work to the Ambassador of Mexico Jorge Chen, in a ceremony at the embassy of that country. Muggeo said found in possession of some 300 archaeological pieces from various countries in South America that will be delivered later. The recovery of the Mexican archaeological heritage is of particular significance for the two countries, because it takes place as part of the actions of international cooperation in combating illicit trafficking of goods to Mexico and Italy favor in their relationship, said the ambassador. "Not only because both countries are signatories to the UNESCO Convention, in force since 1972, but mainly because both nations have an extraordinary wealth of archaeological sites from looting to be preserved through active and effective joint action," he added. Experts agree, in Mexico there are over 200 thousand archaeological sites where you can find a huge variety of remains, making it physically impossible, as in Italy, the entire estate inventory that allows comprehensive measures safety and security, "he said. The diplomat said that "Mexico and Italy contribute to the cultural heritage humanity the greatest number of works, sites, relics and forms of civilization than the average of other nations on the planet. "It is therefore disturbing the looting of archaeological globally and the growing involvement of criminal groups in trafficking, as well as international marketing, "he added. It is estimated that the transfer of cultural property could become a general annually to about five billion dollars. (Source El Universal )
Ancient Mesoamerica News Updates 2011, No. 22: Soledad de Maciel, Petatlan, Guerrero - Recently Opened, The Museum Site Xihuacan On March 22, 2011, the Museo de Sitio Xihuacan, located at the archaeological site of Soledad de Maciel, was opened to the public. The museum showcases some 800 objects, many of which can be related to the central Mexican culture of Teotihuacan. Last Friday, April 1, 2011, the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) posted a bulletin on the museum. Since four years the INAH is excavating at the site and the site itself will be opened soon to the public as well. Featuring prominently at the site is a large ballcourt (edited by AMaNU; photos from various sources): 
Nuevo museo exhibe objetos de estilo teotihuacano - A cuatro miles from Zihuatanejo-Acapulco highway, in the Costa Grande of Guerrero, is located Xihuacan Site Museum, which opened recently and features more than 800 archaeological pieces, most of Teotihuacan style, found over several years in the community of Soledad de Maciel, in the town of Petatlan. The museum's new exhibition presents a vast universe of prehispanic pieces, such as figurines, vases of obsidian, shell-work, copper axes, beads and bells, pottery and lithic collection through which explains the cultural development of this ancient city had a strong interaction with Teotihuacan during the Classic period (200 to 650 AD).
Xihuacan Site Museum is located in the Soledad de Maciel Archeological Zone, where for four years, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), carries out the exploration and appreciation of pre-Hispanic monuments, in order to open to the public later this year. The archaeologist Rodolfo Lobato, who is coordinating the exploration at the site, reported that among the ancient objects presented in the museum, stands a stone carved with the glyph Xihuacan toponym, which gives the area its name. "It measures three feet high by 50 wide and 25 centimeters thick, was found during Recent excavations in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Ball Game. The glyph is circular and reveals the name that this place was known pre-Hispanic times. Xihuacan is a Náhuatl word meaning "place of the holders of turquoise", which refers to a metaphor to describe those "who have the time" or "controlling the schedule." In this sense, the Guerrero INAH Center archaeologist, said that this allegory is associated with the role played by this settlement as the largest lead of the Costa Grande. In addition, the Court concluded that the urban plan is linked to celestial motions.
La colección de piezas que se muestran en el museo de sitio está conformada por aquellas halladas recientemente, así como de otras encontradas con anterioridad, cuando se hicieron los primeros registros y recorridos arqueológicos a cargo de especialistas como Pedro Hendrichs en 1943, Pedro Armillas en 1948 y Ellen Brush en 1968, así como Rubén Manzanilla a finales de los años 80. Rodolfo Lobato añadió que también se exhibe un aro de Juego de Pelota, labrado en granito con la representación de dos cabezas de serpientes, que fue encontrado en 1925 por campesinos y fue resguardado por la comunidad. Así mismo, destacan esculturas de cabezas de jaguares, pesas de barro, puntas y cuchillos de obsidiana, navajillas, bowls, winches, pots, bottles, ear muffs, a clay flute, a rod of stone and clay pot decorated with representations of heads of monkeys and birds, which dates from the year 500 AD. Rodolfo Lobato said that in the ancient pre-Hispanic times Xihuacan residents took advantage of the warm climate of the region for the cultivation of cotton and cocoa products highly valued in Mesoamerican societies. At the same time, high productivity of beans, corn and squash, thanks to complex systems of irrigation. In the room which alludes to the ancient inhabitants of Soledad de Maciel, explains that this site was the leading center of the Costa Grande. "Their heyday was in the Epi (650 to 950 AD), but was inhabited from the Preclassic (2500 BC to 200 AD), Classic (200 to 650 AD) until the Early Postclassic (950 to 1300 AD). The same context indicates that it had led to gradual abandonment by floods in the area, forcing the inhabitants to migrate to higher areas. " The archaeologist added that, according to historical sources of the sixteenth century, it is known that the region was occupied by groups and Cuitlatec tepuztecos, "but still can not specify the name of the ethnic groups that existed here. "In the specific case of Soledad de Maciel, its first inhabitants were agricultural groups over time managed consolidar una sociedad estratificada y una organización suficiente para levantar basamentos y crear obras de ingeniería hidráulica. Sus pobladores también tuvieron influencia olmeca, apreciable en sus figurillas de barro y cerámica”. Fue durante el periodo Clásico cuando se dio la influencia de la cultura teotihuacana, que se reflejó en la complejidad social y poderío que alcanzó Xihuacan; etapa en la que comenzó la construcción del gran conjunto ceremonial que caracteriza el sitio.
Exploración y restauración - La investigación arqueológica y consolidación de estructuras en el sitio prehispánico de Soledad de Maciel, se lleva a cabo en 29 of the 59 hectares which occupies the area, here is the ceremonial center with the highest concentration of old buildings, for which research and restoration INAH has spent more than three million pesos. "One of the particularities of this archaeological site is its system of construction, made of adobe. The settlement has risen to nearly eight feet from the ground by masonry bricks that create a platform on which structures were built, "said Lobato Rodriguez. The ceremonial area is comprised of four major structures or mounds, called "A" has a dimension of 100 meters long by 16 high. Archaeologist stressed that the design presented by the city to a classic Teotihuacan architectural layout: four temples surrounding architecture of smaller dimensions, such as altars, a ball game and a plaza. The specialist pointed out Guerrero INAH Center also performs the enhancement of a golf ball game, which is hinged to tecpan or site where the ruling elite resided. "The Ball Game is on land measuring 2.5 hectares and was built with large granite slabs and boulders, during his exploration were found markers or trowel of the bench rings and placed vertically." Finally, the archaeologist Rodolfo Lobato said Epi during the period (650 to 950 AD), the site reached its apogee with expansionist view and held commercial control. His great ceremonial center became a place of religious worship and seat of power farm. The INAH continues with excavation and consolidation in the Soledad de Maciel Archeological Zone with a view to opening for public visits this year, given the interest that the site has generated among the local community and tourism. Xihuacan Site Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Since its recent opening, temporarily you can visit for free. (Source INAH)
