Tzinacamoztoc, Possible Use of a Lava Tube as a Zenithal Observatory Near Cantona Archaeological Site, Puebla, Mexico

Creator

Ramón Espinasa-Pereña
Ruth Diamant

Files

Publication Date

January 2012

Abstract

An artificial structure was discovered under a natural skylight inside Grutas de Tzincacamóztoc, in the vicinity of the archaeological site of Cantona. The structure is made up of piled rocks, defining a pentagonal enclosure with a central mound. Detailed measurements and computer modeling allowed tracing of the sunbeam path projected on the structure and on the cave floor, particularly for dates of astronomical and/or Mesoamerican calendrical importance. This corroborates the possible prehispanic use of this site as a complex and sophisticated gnomon. Se descubrió una estructura artificial bajo un tragaluz natural en las Grutas de Tzinacamóztoc, cerca del sitio argueológico de Cantona. La estructura consiste en un apilamiento de rocas que define un recinto pentagonal con un monticulo central. Mediante medidas detalladas y modelación por computadora se pudo obtener la traza del haz de luz proyectada sobre la estructura y el piso de la cueva, en particular para fechas de importancia astronómica y/o calendarica ritual mesoamericana, corroborando el posible uso prehispanico de este sitio como un complejo y sofisticado gnomon. Open Access - Permission by Author(s) See Extended description for more information.

Keywords

Mexico, Anthropology

Type

Book

Identifier

K26-04817

Recommended Citation

Espinasa-Pereña, Ramón and Diamant, Ruth, "Tzinacamoztoc, Possible Use of a Lava Tube as a Zenithal Observatory Near Cantona Archaeological Site, Puebla, Mexico" (2012). KIP Monographs. 23.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_monographs/23