A PREHISTORIC EFFIGY MOUND IN SOUTH-CENTRAL MEXICO??
James A Neely
Survey in the Tehuacán Valley of Puebla in south-central México has discovered what appears to be an effigy mound in the form of a
scorpion.
The mound (Figure 1) is 11 by 63 meters in size and is constructed of cobble-sized fragments of travertine. It is apparently part of a
generally triangular-shaped architectural complex of six isolated house mounds, five larger mounds and mound complexes with
courtyards and plazas, and a looted tomb cut into the travertine bedrock. The approximate area of the entire complex is 33,750 m2 (3.38
hectares). This complex was situated very near a major branching point of a large primary “fossilized” canal.
The question of whether the mound truly has the form of a scorpion or is a fortuitous mounding of stones has been considered in depth.
A canvass of archaeologists working in Mexico has resulted in knowledge of only two probable effigy mounds, both in the form of
snakes; one at Paquimé (Casas Grandes), in Chihuahuah, and the other in the Municipio de Tacuichamona, in Sinaloa, (Weigand,
personal communication 2010), thus its authenticity is still questionable. However, a number of lines of evidence point to its prehistoric
origins.
Primary among the evidence is that the construction of the proposed effigy mound is essentially the same as that of the apparently
associated individual house mounds and mounds surrounding courtyards and plazas. All are constructed of piled fragments of broken
travertine rock, available as bedrock in the area and from the cleanings of the “fossilized” canals nearby. Its apparent association with
the other structures of the complex and the situation of the complex at the branching of several secondary canals from a large prehistoric
primary canal are also suggestive of its prehistoric origin. Many diagnostic sherds dating to the Terminal Classic and Post-Classic
periods, including a relatively high percentage of incised decorated and painted sherds, were found associated with the proposed effigy
mound and the other nearby mounds. Intrusive types include: early Post-Classic Aquiahuac phase Cholula "Marta” (a bi-chrome) and
“Estela” type polychromes, a few late post-Classic Mártir phase “Nila" and "Catalina" polychrome types, Texcoco Black-on-red,
Tenayuca Black-on-orange, and Mixtec Black-and-red-on-orange). One other possible indicator of its authenticity is our discovery of
what appeared to be a modern offering of tobacco, chilies, and turkey bones (once with flesh?) in two small ceramic vessels, a bowl and
a molcajete, atop the mound.
Research is still underway on this complex, and information, comments, and suggestions regarding the constructions and the mound’s
possible ceremonial/religious/cosmological aspects would be most welcome.
James A Neely, University of Texas at Ausatin, [email protected]
Carlos Rincon Mautner, College of Southern Nevada
Michael J. Aiuvalasit, Southern Methodist University
Keywords: Prehistoric effigy mound, Mesoamerica, Southern Puebla, Mexico, Tehuacan Valley
Permanent URI: http://www.saa.org/CurrentResearch/pdf/saa_cro_176_A_Prehistoric_Effigy_Moun.pdf
Bounding coordinates (decimal degrees):
West: 18.17 North: -97.09 East: 18.57 South: -97.6
Citation Example: James A Neely (2014) A Prehistoric Effigy Mound in South-Central Mexico??. SAA Current Research 176,
http://www.saa.org/CurrentResearch/pdf/saa_cro_176_A_Prehistoric_Effigy_Moun.pdf, accessed (current date)
Current Research Online No: 176:1
Copyright ©2014 Society for American Archaeology
A rendering of the Scorpion Mound adapted from a to-scale field drawing.
Current Research Online No: 176:2
Copyright ©2014 Society for American Archaeology
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