MexicGo Archaeological site in Mexico, Mexico by Location: Ocoyoacac

The name of this archaeological site Ocoyoacac is due to its proximity to this population. It is also known locally Tlalcozpan names and Los Dorantes. Ocoyoacac word meaning "where They begin ocotes or pines." Importance The Toluca Valley region was suitable for the establishment of residential areas; the changed environment offered an ideal environment for subsistence. The floodplain lake gave them resources and fertile land; that of hillocks of land suitable for crops of corn, squash and beans, and the wooded area, spaces for hunting, gathering fruit and wood procurement; . that is, they were equipped with everything needed to sustain its economy Site History Ocoyoacac was a civic center - ceremonial which took place approximately between the years 450 and 650 AD, and his brief occupation is located towards the end of the Classic period the chronology of Mesoamerica. Through archaeological explorations it has been observed that in this period increased the number of housing settlements in the valley of Toluca, where there were populations of farmers, possibly suriano groups Otomi origin. Among them, by extension, the site Ocoyoacac, as this place is densely concentrated in terms of population. In the rooms, corridors, drainage and tlecuiles of the residential area already explored have recovered remains of pots , pans, grinding tools, grinding stones and hands, and cutting, Knives and human burials accompanied by vessel, usually placed inside the rooms. All these factors indicate that it was households, ie, spaces of residence, production and consumption inhabited by farmers, artisans, merchants and members of the ruling class. During the time of apogee of Ocoyoacac, the city of Teotihuacan served as rector of Mesoamerica center. From that place they were expanding ideas, fashions and controlled trade routes through small satellite centers. The main product of trade was obsidian, volcanic rock. The influence of Teotihuacan in Ocoyoacac seen in the style and design they acquired from the Teotihuacan metropolis. Tour The architectural ensemble it consists of areas of very simple rooms with stone walls pasted with mud. Apparently it was a small community of farmers and perhaps was one of the passageways between the routes of trade and tribute was between the Basin of Mexico and the Valley of Toluca. The evidence would indicate that after the collapse of Teotihuacan state the site was abandoned suddenly. In the area of tour you can appreciate simple rooms and two rooms that stand out for their height:chamber 1 is located in the far east of the whole. It characterized in that the building is larger. It was built with roughly worked stone on a platform in which traces of a staircase that allowed access to the site are observed. The chamber consists of two sections, the first is a small antechamber, the dividing walls between it and the grounds are narrower than the outer walls.Enclosure 2 This is another rectangular enclosure inhabited: The most significant element This unit is the south wall of the facade having, as construction system, slope -. board, typical of Teotihuacan constructions consisting of a combination of a straight wall (board) over another angle (slope) architectural element in this enclosure observed two sections, the first is the antechamber and the second to the enclosure. enclosure 3 has similar characteristics to the enclosure 1. It was also built on a platform with access to the west. In this building the staircase leads directly into the enclosure, ie there is no antechamber. In front of this structure is a set of three rooms, two of them square and another quadrangular larger.

Ocoyoacac, Mexico