Publications
A Dual Measurement System: Standardization and Architectural Planning in Xochicalco
Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Xochicalco reveals a dual measurement system used during its Epiclassic period, featuring two primary units: U7 (1.47 m) and U8 (1.68 m). These units show striking similarities to the Mayan zapal and Nahua maitl, suggesting shared Mesoamerican measurement traditions. The study identified patterns in their application, linking them to structural orientation, functionality, and construction techniques, indicating meticulous planning with potential symbolic significance. Multiples of three, four, nine, and twelve times these base units imply the use of standardized tools, offering new insights into Mesoamerican architectural practices and cultural interactions.
Financiarización y nueva geografía minera de oro en las inmediaciones de la Zona Arqueológica de Xochicalco, Morelos - México
A significant expansion of gold mining concessions, driven by financial speculation and state permissiveness, led to a 318% increase in mined areas near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco between 2002 and 2009. This rapid growth triggered severe social conflict in 2012, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reforms to restore local community control over their territories. The study analyzed financial records and conducted fieldwork to uncover the link between mining financiarization and societal disputes, emphasizing the broader implications of unchecked mining expansion on heritage sites.
Delineation of Fractures Using a 2D GPR Processing Strategy for 3D Imaging: Weak Zones within Carbonates at the Archaeological Site of Xochicalco in Mexico
Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco, Mexico, has identified critical weak zones within carbonate rocks that threaten archaeological stability. Using a novel 2D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) processing strategy—specifically multipath summation on densely spaced parallel lines—the study successfully imaged fractures and potential caverns at depths of 1.6m and 1.8m. These findings suggest that cracks in the Quetzalcoatl Temple, which appeared after a significant earthquake in 2017, are linked to underlying structural weaknesses in the carbonate bedrock. The approach, employing a 400 MHz monostatic antenna, offers a precise method for assessing natural hazard impacts on cultural heritage sites.
The Stuccoed and Painted Benches of Xochicalco, Morelos, Mexico
Archaeological research at Xochicalco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Morelos, Mexico, reveals that intricately stuccoed and painted benches from the Epiclassic period (600–900 CE) likely served as royal seats or thrones. These benches, adorned with rich iconography and hieroglyphic signs, were pivotal in displaying religious, mythological, and historical narratives that reinforced hierarchical power structures. The study suggests parallels between Xochicalco's benches and those found in the Terminal Classic Maya city of Chichen Itza, indicating potential interregional cultural exchanges during this period. The research combines iconographic and epigraphic analysis to interpret the symbolic significance of these artifacts, offering new insights into the political and ceremonial functions of monumental architecture in Mesoamerica.
Xochicalco / Xochelkalhme
A collaborative effort by professionals from diverse disciplines, including linguistics and literature, has successfully created a bilingual children's book that bridges Mexican Sign Language (LSM) or indigenous languages with the rich pre-Hispanic cultural heritage of Mexico. The book, set against the backdrop of the archaeological site of Xochicalco, features narration in Spanish and Nahuatl, accompanied by meticulous illustrations. This innovative approach aims to make complex historical narratives accessible and engaging for a broader audience, including those who rely on sign language or indigenous languages for communication.
Ciclos culturales y astronómicos en Xochicalco, Morelos
Research at Xochicalco reveals sophisticated calendar systems akin to those used by central Mexican and Oaxacan societies during the 6th century CE, with over 115 dates inscribed on its reliefs. The study builds upon Alfonso Caso's foundational work (1967), refining and organizing day signs while addressing a critical gap in Mesoamerican calendrical studies: whether the site's inhabitants recognized the difference between the tropical year (365.2422 days) and the civil year (365 days). Through rigorous analysis of glific texts on stones, the research explores how Xochicalco's advanced astronomical knowledge—evidenced by precise solar cycle calculations—may have influenced cultural, agricultural, and religious practices, while also questioning whether the slight annual drift was corrected or tolerated. This work sheds light on the precision and societal significance of calendrical systems in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica.
Los calendarios de Xochicalco, Morelos
Xochicalco's calendars, inscribed on the site's reliefs, offer a unique window into Mesoamerican calendar systems during the Epiclassic period (600–900 CE). By analyzing and reconstructing the sequence of days and years—comprising 52-year cycles known as 'siglos'—researchers have pieced together a previously fragmented understanding of pre-Hispanic calendrical practices. The uniformity of these inscriptions, derived from a single site over a defined period, bridges the gap between earlier (Classic) and later (Postclassic) calendar traditions, providing critical insights into how such systems evolved across Mesoamerica. Additionally, the eclectic artistic styles and graphic representations in Xochicalco's calendars reflect broader trans-regional influences, underscoring the site's role as a cultural nexus during this transitional era.
An Interconnected World? Evidence of Interaction in the Arts of Epiclassic Cacaxtla and Xochicalco, Mexico
Archaeological evidence from the Epiclassic period (AD 650-900) reveals complex interactions between the independent polities of Cacaxtla and Xochicalco, located in Central Mexico. These centers developed distinctive art styles that incorporated elements from distant regions, particularly Maya influences from the tropical lowlands. While previous studies focused on murals at Cacaxtla and sculptures at Xochicalco, this research expands the scope to include elite sumptuary goods, ritual items, and utilitarian trade goods like ceramics and obsidian. These artifacts suggest diverse strategies for identity formation, with references to Teotihuacan, Maya, Oaxaca, and Veracruz monuments indicating nuanced agendas in monumental artworks.
Xochicalco: Tlayohualchieliztli or camera obscura
Research at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco, Mexico, presents evidence that a shaft with a zenith-oriented aperture functioned as a pre-Columbian camera obscura, or tlayohualchieliztli. This would mark the first documented use of an image-forming device in Mesoamerica. The study determined that while the shaft's aperture was too large for pinhole optics, it could have been covered with a screen containing a smaller borehole, optimizing light conditions for celestial observations. Analysis suggests the shaft was oriented to capture images of the sun during daytime and the moon at night, with amate paper or cloth used to record positions. The research combines optical modeling and astronomical alignment studies to support this hypothesis.
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