[Aztlan] INAH report and discoveries at the site of Tetela

[michael ruggeri]

Listeros,

INAH has just completed a study of the site of "Holy Name" or Tetela north of Tehuacan, Puebla. The structures at the site are in the Teotihuacan style. It was occupied from 400 BCE-600 CE. INAH believes the site was not a Teotihuacan colony but was built by the ancestors of today's Popolocas. The line up of the temples into sets of 3 and the Plaza Great Altar mimic Teotihuacan. This site would have been a way station for trade between Teotihuacan and the Gulf Coast and Oaxaca. INAH restored 25 structures and a ball court. One of the largest buildings was ritually destroyed in an elaborate ceremony involving the burning of corn, beans, squash, chili, beads, vases, censors and conch shells, all thrown in the front of the building as an offering. The offering would have been to the sacred mountain and the food and agricultural deities within. The carved stones of the building were removed and used as fill sealed with rock and mud. 
A second field season will take place before the site is opened to the public in 2012. This restoration is part of a promise made by the government of Mexico to open dozens of sites to the public, after restoration, that were previously closed.

Erik Boot posted the story at his site (in Spanish). I will post the INAH English translation when it comes up on their site.

Erik Boot's Ancient  Mesoamerican News Updates
http://ancient-mesoamerica-news-updates.blogspot.com/

Mike Ruggeri

Mike Ruggeri's Teotihuacan; City of the Gods
http://tinyurl.com/2nrs9d

Mike Ruggeri's Teotihuacan Art Portfolio
http://tinyurl.com/km48kg