Cuetlajuchitlán

Toponymy

Paso Morelos was formerly known as Cuetlajuchitlán or Cuetlajuchi.

The word Cuetlajuchitlán formerly given to the original population, and now used for the archaeological site, is a Nahuatl word that means: "Place of red flowers" or "Withered place".

It may be that the "red flower" is in allusion to Poinsettia, native to the region.

Archaeological site

The site is about 35 hectares in size, of which only two have been explored; sites already uncovered are located on a limestone hill, where the late Preclassical period settlements were found.

Cuetlajuchitlán, during its apogee had three constructive stages, over a period of about 900 years. These are:

First stage

The first (800-600 BC) found very few archaeological remains were found during excavation.

This stage is characterized by limestone rock walls that make up leveling platforms as well as housing foundation, with figurines and some pots found. These materials show that the site was then a small village - perhaps dependent on a larger Olmec-related culture (Mezcala) settlement in the Balsas River region during the mid-preclassical era (800-1000 BCE), or as it seems more likely, that it was inhabited by people who settled here around 600 BCE, at the decline of the Olmec sites.

Second stage

During the period of 200 BCE to 200 CE, Cuetlajuchitlán flourished; this is characterized by the abundance of ceramic objects, which were dated to the late preclassical period; also found in one of the corridors were sculptures carved on Tuff blocks, worn out by time. From this begins the architectural development of the site, with limestone blocks and cylinders carved for its construction in columns and walls, all very well defined in its manufacturing.

Third stage

This stage continued with development of buildings, whose material from previous constructions was reutilized; this included column blocks and Metates. Limestone walls are associated with the Mezcala culture style, By arround 300 CE, the decline and abandonment of Cuetlajuchitlán had occurred.

Site description

The site has a complex architectural distribution, with stone slab streets, large platforms, open spaces and others that functioned as rooms, warehouses or possibly as workshops where specialized activities were performed. From the architectural design, it can be inferred that elite groups lived here; they controlled communal activities and performed public and ceremonial activities. The site has several function places, these include two ceremonial places and three residential housing complexes, it is believed were occupied by high-ranking people and craftsmen. The most important Cuetlajuchitlán buildings, in the two explored complexes are:

Ceremonial Place 1

This is the main structure of the site, it is rectangular and measures 28 m, north–south and 18 m east-west. Its large platform, sunken patio and walls, were built with limestone blocks; two pink tubs carved from a single block were found here, probably used for ritual baths. These baths have a seat on the west side, with an external design resembling an eyebrow, similar to the constructive style of the area. Close the main platform is a Temazcal or ancient steam bath.

Ceremonial Place 2

Situated next to ceremonial place 1, at the southeast end with an enclosed small space; It also has two tubs that probably were used before the enclosure construction. As evidence, its construction materials were reutilized in an area used for rectangular and circular pink stone block carving and storage, and later used for building construction.

Residential housing complex

These were places inhabited by high hierarchical level people, located in the northern, southern and western slopes of the hill. Features the street continuation on axes distributed around well-defined platforms, pink limestone room were built with sunken patios and their respective drainage system, water tanks and small storage areas.

Complex 8

Located some 200 meters outside the area previously explored, it is a vast complex consisting of a square surrounded by platforms with housing units which in turn had their respective water tanks and a water channel. The center has a great platform where probably was placed the house of an elite leading member, who probably ruled Cuetlajuchitlán at a point in time.

Storage areas

In several ports of the site are some constructions with shape and dimensions similar to storage areas, possibly for grain, food or manufactured products. These underground deposits were built with limestone walls and floor slabs. An important amount of ceramic pots fragments were found in these.

Site access

The site is located at kilometer 188 of the Cuernavaca - Acapulco highway, 3 kilometers southeast of Paso Morelos, Huitzuco de los Figueroa, where there is Access to the site. Site visits are Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Cerro de Huashocote

Located north of the municipality.

Tlaxmalac

Located to the west, it is a rock with a carved head, faithful testimony of culture.

Barrio Cantón

During excavations, many ceramic and stone figures were found in original conditions.

La Maroma

Located to southeast, also found ceramic and stone idols as well as a jade mask objects.

Other sites in the region