2,500-year-old altar found in Mexico
![]() |
The altar is rectangular with carved patterns common in other monuments found in the region [Credit: Meliton Tapia/INAH] |
The pieces are thought to have been made between 800 and 500 B.C., about the same age as another altar and a relief depicting three cats that archaeologists from INAH's Morelos Center found at Chalcatzingo less than a year ago.
![]() |
Burial cist [Credit: Meliton Tapia/INAH] |
She said the difference in age between the new pieces and their surroundings can be explained by an Olmec practice of repurposing and - in some cases - decommissioning architectonic elements.
The altar and stela from the Preclassical period would have been buried inside buildings to strip them of their original significance in Olmec rites, she said.
The latest finds bring to 44 the number of altars, stelas and reliefs discovered at Chalcatzingo, INAH said. EFE
Source: Fox News Latino [May 23, 2012]
Post A Comment
No comments :