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FAMSI © 2005: Paul Schmidt |
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Surface Archaeology in the Chilapa-Zitlala Area of Guerrero, México Fieldwork From February 5 through April 24, 2004, sixty one new sites (CZ-058–CZ-118) were located, mainly in the area around Zitlala and along the Coapala ravine. A total of 125 sites have been located during the three field seasons (Figure 1). More detailed maps of three of the larger sites located in 2003 were made, and two test pits were excavated at Cerro Quiotepec (CZ-002). Between February 14 and April 5, 2005, survey was carried out to the north of Zitlala and in the environs of Xochitempa. Seven new sites (CZ-119–CZ-125) were located, but most of this season was dedicated to a terrace by terrace collection of lithic material at Cerro Quiotepec (CZ-002) and the excavation of a test pit at Baño Negro (CZ-116).
CZ-058 Cumulián o Coloxtlán
CZ-119 Abajo de Bachilleres 17 Detailed maps of the three largest sites, located in 2003, were made: Cerro Quiotepec, CZ-002; Comango, CZ-038; and Cuauhlotepec, CZ-057, plus maps for the larger sites located during 2004 and 2005. These maps were made, mostly by Miguel Pérez Negrete, using a hand-held Garmin Legend GPS, registering points every 5-10 m, while walking the sites, and at key points, such as structure and terrace corners and turns. Although most maps are still in process, Cerro Quiotepec (CZ-002), which includes Oxtotitlán (CZ-001) is illustrated here (Figure 2).
During 2004, two 1.5x1.5 m test pits (Figure 3; Figure 4, shown above; Figure 5; Figure 6, shown below) were excavated by Claudia Porras Ibarra on two terraces (Numbers 12 and 203) of Cerro Quiotepec. The location of the pits was selected because the preliminary analysis of surface materials suggested a long sequence might be recovered there; however, materials seem to be restricted to the Middle and Late Formative periods.
At Baño Negro (CZ-116), one of the sites located during the 2004 field season, a 3.0x3.0 m test pit (Figure 7; Figure 8, shown below) was excavated by Eliseo Padilla during the 2005 season. Located within a curve of the Ajolotero river, on the outskirts of Chilapa, Baño Negro appears to have been a small residential site.
On levelling more than half the site to build a soccer field, a very large amount of sherds appeared, and in a profile left by the levelling, house foundations could be seen (Figure 9, shown below). The pit was excavated as a salvage project because the rest of the site is on the verge of being destroyed by the municipio, by building either basketball courts or a residential area. Analysis of the material from the test pit is still forthcoming, but there are indications that there may be a long sequence here, from at least the Middle Formative to the Postclassic. Unfortunately, a site which held great promise is going to be lost. I went through all the bureaucracy in an attempt to protect the site, without any effect.
During the 2005 field season, Paul Schmidt and Osiris Quezada surveyed the site of Cerro Quiotepec, collecting only lithic material terrace by terrace. There is a large amount of lithic fragments, mostly rhyolite. |
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