Journey into the Past

Yesterday we took a day trip out to a group of pyramids that date back to about 2000 B.C.   They are called Guachimontones, and are unique because of being constructed in concentric circles.   They are located about an hour drive west of Guadalajara, near a town called Teuchitlán.  We found the site rather easily, with the aid of our Garmin.   The interpretive center was only 2 years old and was designed in a circular shape to complement the pyramids.    

We were greeted by a guide who spoke English and were shown a 30 minute film in English, telling the history of the site.   It was interesting and quite well made.  There were artifacts on display in the center which were found in the area of the pyramids, and descriptions of what was known of the people who lived there.   

Our guide in the center was named Sagrario, and she decided to hike up to the pyramids with us.   The hike was about 300 meters -- straight up!   It was warm and we stopped to rest in every patch of shade.   When we looked back from the top, it was quite surprising how far we had climbed.   (The white building in the lower right corner of the photo is the interpretive center, and the town of Teuchitlán is in the background.)

But the payoff for the hike was the sight of several huge pyramids that rose to sight as we topped the hill.   They had 13 layers with a plateau, followed by 4 more layers used for sacrifices.  Each was surrounded by 13 platforms which once had held temples.  Originally the entire structure was covered in ornately decorated clay, which had been made with cactus slime to make it strong.   The size and scale is difficult to describe.   That is the edge of one of the surrounding platforms in the foreground.

Even more interesting than the pyramids were rectangular structures the size of football fields which were used for a game which resembled soccer.   The ball was made of hard rubber and weighed as much as a bowling ball.   Teams tried to move the ball by only hitting it with their hips toward the opposing end of the field.  The interesting part was that this was used to settle territorial disputes among tribes.   The game began at dawn and continued to the death.  Death came from broken bones from being struck with the heavy ball.   The winning team (i.e. last ones breathing), and those they represented, were allowed the land.   And the surviving members of the team were "allowed" to sacrifice themselves to the gods.  (Really!)   So no one survived the game.  And I thought Razorbacks took their ballgames seriously!!

Here is the ball field, viewed from one end.   The tiny man in the distance is standing at the far end.  (Yes, there is really a man in the photo in front of the distant rock wall!)

We really enjoyed our guide Sagrario.

We had lunch in the town of Teuchitlán for $5 total, and headed back.  It was well worth the drive!