The Archaeology of Early Formative Chalcatzingo, Morelos, México, 1995

Excavations of the Platform Mound

In order to investigate the platform mound, the test trench that was excavated on Terrace 6 by the previous Chalcatzingo project in 1976 was first re-opened. Next, a series of 1 x 1 meter and 1 x 2 meter units was placed alongside the trench to expand the horizontal area. The position of these pits was determined by following the outline of the platform mound around its perimeter in order to completely expose the structure. A total of 13 stratigraphic levels were uncovered in this area (Figure 4).

The excavations revealed that the platform mound was composed of an earthen core and faced with stones, some of which were worked and some of which were rough river cobbles (Figure 5). These were held together using a mud mortar, but there did not appear to be any plastering or facing on the stones.

Presently, the main section of the platform mound measures 3.5 m long and 2.5 m wide, and the stone wall measures 1 m in height. However, excavations revealed that the platform mound had a complex construction sequence marked by several additions and expansions to the original structure (Figure 6). Three lower stages were added to the main section on its east, west, and north sides, bringing the total length of the platform to 5.5 m. These additions were not as substantial as the main section of the platform as they were only composed of a single layer of stones. Presently, it is not known whether these expansions were contemporary with the main section, or whether they represent later additions. However, they indicate the platform mound was a multi-stage structure.

Excavations also revealed that the platform mound had been capped by several layers of different colored clays including black, gray, yellow, and dark brown (Figure 7). These clay levels functioned to cap the surface of the mound and cover the stone-facing. In addition, they most likely served as floors or surfaces of the platform. Most importantly, several features were found in the uppermost gray clay cap (Figure 8). Several postholes, wall trenches, and pits in the clay represented the remains of a building(s) which had been erected on the summit of the platform. Unfortunately, a clear pattern could not be discerned in the features because a large portion of the surface of the platform had been removed during previous excavations. However, they indicate that a structure had once been erected on the platform mound which may have functioned as the residence of a chief or other high-ranking elite; alternatively, it may have been a temple, men’s house, or other public structure.

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