Archaeological site found in Orizaba's Peak

A structure which could be part of a Pre-Hispanic shrine was found in the west hillside of Orizaba's Peak by archeologist Ismael Montero and experts of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

It is believed the archeological site had ritual purposes linked to astronomic ones, such as the ones found in the volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl, Popocatépetl, and Mount Tláloc.

The INAH informed through a statement that ceramic fragments similar to those found in Xolalpan, Metepec, and Coyotlatelco was found at the structure, and it is believed to have been built during the Classic or late Classic periods.

Archaeological site found in Orizaba's Peak

(Ceramic fragments found at Orizaba's Peak – Photo

:INAH

)

Ten years ago, Montero saw a photograph were a square shape could be seen and he believed it to be a shrine.

Last October, he climbed the mountain with researchers María de Lourdes López and Osvaldo Murillo, of the INAH, and mountain guides Rodolfo Hernández, Martín Moreno, Nadia Mota, and Ariana Jiménez, to find the structure he had seen in the satellite image.

According to Lourdes López, the west hillside of the volcano has minimum human activity since it isn't part of traditional climbing routes.

Archaeological site found in Orizaba's Peak

(Shrine found in Orizaba's Peak - Photo: Arturo Montero/INAH)

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