Could This Be a Maya Influence? A Solar Observatory Used for Crop Planning Found in the Mountains of Mexico
On October 20 at 22:48, archaeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) revealed the discovery of the Teteles de Ávila Castillo complex in Puebla, which dates back more than 2,500 years. This site functioned as a solar observatory for astronomical observations and agricultural scheduling. Notably, it is the earliest known observatory of its kind located outside the traditional Maya region. The complex is attributed to the Middle Preclassic period, approximately 1000 to 600 BCE, and features architectural elements characteristic of Maya E-groups.
The observatory includes a rectangular courtyard situated between two platforms. The eastern platform measures roughly 90 by 40 meters, while the western platform, serving as the observation point, measures about 46 by 27 meters. The layout was designed to track the shifting sunrise positions throughout the year, marking key moments such as the start of the Mesoamerican calendar in February and the harvest season in October.
From the eastern structure, the alignment of sunrise points correlates with equinoxes and solstices. Project lead Alberto Díez Barroso Repiso emphasized that:
'Maya influence may have reached this region as early as the first millennium BCE.'
Besides its astronomical purpose, the complex also regulated agricultural and ceremonial cycles. Its ritual importance persisted from around 900 BCE to 900 CE, indicating cultural interactions among the Maya, Huastec, and Totonac peoples.
The earliest settlers of the site might have been ancestors of the Totonacs, who later developed urban centers such as Yohualichan in Puebla and El Tajín in Veracruz. One key structure within the complex is oriented toward the star Canopus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, a connection preliminarily linked to the nine-limbed goddess Nanahuatzin. This discovery enriches our understanding of ancient Mexican civilizations, shedding light on their advanced astronomical knowledge and agricultural practices.
This finding highlights the crucial role astronomy played in the survival and development of ancient Mexican societies, especially in managing farming cycles. Studying sites like Teteles de Ávila Castillo offers valuable insights into the cultural and social networks between early civilizations, as well as their architectural and astronomical accomplishments.
As researchers continue to uncover the rich history of ancient Mesoamerican cultures, another significant discovery has emerged in Campeche. An elite Maya residence featuring intricate cavil masks and pop glyphs sheds light on the sophisticated societal structures of the Maya civilization. This finding complements the recent revelations about the solar observatory, illustrating the interconnectedness of cultural practices in the region.