PXL_20250424_232705990

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 07:49:22 +0100

TEUCHITLAN

In the valleys and lacustrine basins of Magdalena and Etzatlán near the
Tequila volcano, in Jalisco, developed a tradition
unique architecture in Mesoamerica with known constructions
as "guachimontones". These structures were composed of
a circular courtyard surrounded by a platform with structures
rectangular on which one or more houses were built.
This tradition develops between the years 350 a. C. to 500 d. C. and se
extended to areas bordering Zacatecas, Nayarit and Colima. On
best known settlements are Teuchitlan, Huitzilapa, Llano
Grande, Navajas and Santa Quiteria in Jalisco; Potrero de la Cruz in
Colima and La Florida in Zacatecas.

In Teuchitlán there were large "guachimontones", some with more
of 100 meters in diameter. At the center of those sets was
stepped altars and bases with evidence of
wood for various rituals, symbols of the vertical axis that held
and communicated the various levels of the cosmos. Around these
circular sets there were plazas and living spaces with
remains of stoves and implements for grinding. There was also
ball games, one of them with 111 meters total length, and
which constitutes the largest known ball game for this
era.

Under some structures of guachimontones they built
shot tombs, some very large like that of Huitzilapa in
Jalisco.