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Ancient Mesoamerica News Updates 2011, No. 26: Xochicalco, Morelos - Exhibit Shows Three Important Sculptures Discovered 20 Years Ago
The new exhibit "Xochicalco. Heritage. 100 years of archaeological investigations 1910-2010," Shown at the Regional Museum Cuauhnáhuac in Cuernavaca (Morelos), presents three important sculptures Which Were found 20 years ago at the site of Xochicalco. The exhibit presents These three sculptures, after Careful Reassembly and conservation, for the first time to the general public, WAS Reported as last Friday, April 29, 2011, by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (edited by amanu; photos: Durango context)
commemorate 100 years of archaeological research in Xochicalco - Three sculptures prehispanic size were found in pezados almost 20 years in the archaeological zone of Xochicalco, are shown for the first time in the Regional Museum Cuauhnáhuac after a hard work of assembly and restoration. His presentation is part of the exhibition which commemorates 100 years of archaeological investigations at the site of the State of Morelos, conducted from 1910 to today.
These are representations of a male deity called The Creator, a jaguar and an iguana, about a thousand years old, which account for artistic creation reached by Xochicalco civilization of which there are still many puzzles to decipher , given that so far has explored 15% of the area occupied this city, said the archaeologist Silvia Garza Tarazona, responsible for the reconstruction of the sculptures and curator of the exhibition.
"They are works in which mixed the earthly with the divine, hence the high symbolic value," said the researcher from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), in detailing the discovery of these sculptures dating from Epi-Classic period (650-1100 AD) - was recorded in 1992, as part of Xochicalco Project excavations, under the direction of archaeologist Norberto González Crespo.

"were located in what we call a 'pre-Hispanic dump', discovered by exploring the buildings of the Great Platform, near the Acropolis. In one room, with the roof down, we found lot of pieces of ceramic sculptures, vases, figurines, human and animal bones, of which so far have been 343 pieces. "
One hypothesis of this wealth of material, the archaeologist said Garza Tarazona, is that in pre-Hispanic sculptures were placed on the roof of one of the rooms of the Acropolis. "This idea is based on the stucco with which the sculptures were coated sample signs of weathering due to exposure to sun and rain.
"We also believe that it was an important group of sculptures, because it has been determined that there were 18 (11 anthropomorphic four iguanas and three pumas). For the weight and the amount we can suppose that they were on the roof "he explained.
Archaeologist Morelos INAH Center abounded that the violent events that occurred Xochicalco, circa 1100, by the discontent of the people with forms of government and religion, and that led to its decline, the building where the sculptures were was burned until it collapsed, and with it came the fragmentation of the works. Given
complexity for the reassembly of the 18 sculptures, this commemorative exhibition was only the reconstruction of the three presented in the Museum Cuauhnáhuac "Palacio de Cortes", where they will continue their run into mid-July.

The iconic piece is called The Creator, who is a life-size sculpture made of clay from 1.14 m, 55 cm wide and 65 cm thick. "It represents an adult man of great solemnity. It has a hooked nose and sticks her mouth because it has large curved tusks. Kneeling on the left leg and holding a vine of his address is unknown it has not been found. The eyes have similarity to the Maya pantheon of deities.
"represents a deity connected with fertility because it has two penises in the form of vines that reach back to his shoulder, chest and tied one end reaches the left thigh and the other possibly in the right arm" said archaeologist Silvia Garza Tarazona.
The specialist, who for nearly 30 years has worked in exploration of Xochicalco, adding that this character also wears a headdress that symbolizes time and cacao seeds representing wealth. This sculpture must have been painted as pointing the remains of red pigment still in use in ears, hair and the vine.
Moreover, the archaeologist explained that the iguana sculpture measures 1.05 m long, 47 cm high and 34 cm thick. "Of all the sculpture is the figure showing more movement because it has the tail raised and pointing to the left side. Also in the legs slide bracelets and a necklace of large accounts. " While
puma sculpture, 77 cm high, 51 wide and 54 thick, is the cat sitting with ears back, in alertness, and wears a neck cord whose ends form a rectangle. This piece retains its original colors: yellow body, red gums and tongue, and white chest.
Xochicalco exposure. World Heritage. 100 years of archaeological investigations 1910-2010, the Regional Museum presents Cuauhnáhuac "Palacio de Cortes", located in the center of Cuernavaca, Morelos. Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00. Cost of access to the same ticket to the museum. (Source INAH)