Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís
Classic (600–900 CE) Cantona apex·Cantona (Olmeca-Xicalanca derivative)·🇲🇽 Puebla, near Cantona, Orihuatl? Tepeyahualco, malpaís lava field, near Cofre de Perote foothills, Mexico
About
About Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís
Cantona excavated by García Cook 1990s, asymmetrical pyramid 26 m, lava city 80k. Recorded context — Period: Classic (600–900 CE) Cantona apex; Culture: Cantona (Olmeca-Xicalanca derivative); Field status: excavated; Materials: volcanic lava slab, obsidian city walls; Condition: preserved.
Why it mattersKey Cantona (Olmeca-Xicalanca derivative) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network extent
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Elite residence
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 600 CE asymmetrical Pyramid
- Period
- Classic (600–900 CE) Cantona apex
- Culture
- Cantona (Olmeca-Xicalanca derivative)
- Purpose
- Asymmetrical 2-body pyramid (26 m × 12 m high) on lava malpaís field — Cantona 12 km² lava city of 80,000 with 24 ballcourts maximum Mesoamerica
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1875
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 600 CE asymmetrical Pyramid
Initial construction / first occupation at Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís
2005 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís
On the ground
Structures & features
19.5490° N · 97.4850° W · 2450 m · 3 mapped features
- Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — primary structure19.5477° N · 97.4840° W
- Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — hydraulic feature19.5494° N · 97.4831° W
- Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — Causeway Annex 3causewaycauseway at Cantona — Asymmetrical Pyramid on Lava Malpaís — primary structure19.5505° N · 97.4851° W
Gallery