Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán
Late Formative to Classic (300 BCE–450 CE Teuchitlán tradition)·Teuchitlán (Western Mexico circular pyramid builders)·🇲🇽 Jalisco, Teuchitlán, near Ahualulco, Tequila volcano valley, Guachimontones canyon, Mexico
About
About Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán
Teuchitlán excavated by Weigand 1970–, guachimontones linked to circular plazas, ballcourt 2. Recorded context — Period: Late Formative to Classic (300 BCE–450 CE Teuchitlán tradition); Culture: Teuchitlán (Western Mexico circular pyramid builders); Field status: excavated; Materials: earth fill, tezontle, clay plaster; Condition: preserved — UNESCO 2008.
Why it mattersKey Teuchitlán (Western Mexico circular pyramid builders) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Astronomical alignment
- 02Function of enclosure
Theories
- 01Defensive stronghold
- 02Elite 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. 300 BCE Circle 1; 100 CE Circle 2; 400 CE major
- Period
- Late Formative to Classic (300 BCE–450 CE Teuchitlán tradition)
- Culture
- Teuchitlán (Western Mexico circular pyramid builders)
- Purpose
- Circular pyramid temples (Circle 1 outer 125 m, central altar 50 m) — Western Mexico's unique concentric circle pyramid (shaft-tomb related)
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1902
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 300 BCE Circle 1; 100 CE Circle 2; 400 CE major
Initial construction / first occupation at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán
c. 400 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán
On the ground
Structures & features
20.6910° N · 103.8360° W · 1340 m · 4 mapped features
- Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — subsidiary complex20.6915° N · 103.8362° W
- Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — primary structure20.6898° N · 103.8365° W
- Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — Southern Causewaycausewaycauseway at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — subsidiary complex20.6895° N · 103.8378° W
- Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — Pyramid Annex 4pyramidpyramid at Guachimontones — Circle Temple Estanzuela Teuchitlán — primary structure20.6925° N · 103.8347° W
Gallery