The ARX Project
Archaeology Research and Exploration
San Miguel Ixtapan
New megalithic discoveries
By Marco M. Vigato on July 20, 2024
San Miguel Ixtapan, Mexico: An Unknown Civilization?
Since 2021, our team has been researching the archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan, where over a dozen megalithic stone slabs of unknown provenance have been found.
These slabs do not resemble any known artistic style of Mesoamerica but appear to be stylistically and technically related to the megalithic stonework of Peru and Bolivia, in far-away South America.
All the slabs are characterized by an inverted T-shape design over a framed rectangle. Variations include the proportions of the rectangle and the thickness of the frame. The meaning of the inverted T sign is unknown, but it is believed to signify an entrance to the underworld and may be perhaps related to the concept of Chicomoztoc, the mythical subterranean place of origin of the Mesoamerican peoples. Such is suggested by similar representations found in the Mexican codices, particularly the Map of Coatlinchan II.
Only two of the slabs have been found in an archeological context, during excavations conducted in the so-called "Recinto de las Esculturas" within the archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan. The room and objects associated with the slabs have been dated to the Epiclassic period, ca. 700-900 AD. There is however a distinct possibility that the slabs may be in fact much older, and were only appropriated and reused in a later context. This hypothesis is supported by the evidence of ancient repairs and a thick stucco coating covering the already severely weathered and damaged stone slabs.
Of the known slabs, 4 are found in the church of San Miguel Ixtapan (of these, one is no longer visible as it is buried in the foundations of the church), 2 were found in situ during excavations of the Recinto de las Esculturas, 1 slab fragment discovered near Juluapan and 1 from Rancho ICAMEX, presently housed in the site museum of San Miguel Ixtapan, 1 slab from San Francisco los Nopales, 3 from Cerro de la Guitarra (1 carved and two plain slabs) and 1 from Pinzán Morado. There is also photographic evidence (Wicke and Bullington, 1960:603) of at least another slab from the Hacienda de Guadalupe (present whereabouts: unknown). It is very well possible that many more carved stone slabs still await discovery in and around San Miguel Ixtapan.
In recent years, the ARX Project partnered with archaeologist Victor Osorio, site director of San Miguel Ixtapan, and the local Centro INAH Estado de México, for the documentation and conservation of several of these carved stone slabs, conducting various expeditions in the area which led to new and important discoveries.
Different moments of the recovery of the ICAMEX stone slab. The slab, discovered in a ranch some 3 kilometers from San Miguel Ixtapan, is presently on display inside the protected archaeological area and site museum of San Miguel Ixtapan
(Photos: Marco M. Vigato/ ARX Project)
Rancho ICAMEX
In December 2021, the ARX Project sponsored the recovery of a large megalithic stone slab which had been broken into several pieces by looters looking for treasure. Three pieces of the slab were recovered, each weighing between 1-1.5 tons with a fourth one (a corner) still missing. There is reason to believe that this slab is the same that was photographed by Wicke and Bullington in their 1960 article on the megalithic slabs of San Miguel Ixtapan (Wicke and Bullington, 1960:604). The photograph shows the still entire slab, lying face up in a field. When entire, the slab must have weighted close to 5 tons.
The slab is carved from a very hard, finely-grained basalt, and presents the usual inverted T-shape symbol over a rectangular frame. It must have taken considerable effort and probably the use of explosives to break apart the huge stone.
After a public fundraising campaign that saw the participation of over 50 donors, the three surviving slab fragments were recovered and transported with the use of cranes and heavy equipment to a protected area inside the archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan.
Check out the video below to see the different steps of this complex rescue operation:
San Francisco Los Nopales
A second stone slab was discovered in 2022 near the village of San Francisco los Nopales, a few kilometers from San Miguel Ixtapan. The slab was accidentally uncovered during agricultural works and was lying face down at the edge of a field at the time of discovery. In november 2023, this slab was removed and installed in a protective structure built with funding provided by the ARX Project in the center of the village of San Francisco, a mere two hundred meters from the place of its finding.
Different moments of the complex rescue operation involving a 2-ton monolithic stone slab discovered near the village of San Francisco Los Nopales. The slab was transported on wooden rollers using ropes and pulleys to a permanent structure erected in the center of the village of San Francisco with funding provided by the ARX Project.
(Photos: Marco M. Vigato/ ARX Project)
This new slab is of similar quality to the finest of the four slabs found at the church, but is missing one corner. Its inauguration was attended by Ms. Nelly Carrasco Godinez, Secretary of Culture of the State of Mexico.
For the transportation of the 2-tons slab, wooden rollers and ropes were used. Over 20 people labored for several hours to move the slab by less than one hundred meters over the rugged and difficult terrain, well showing the complexities involved in such an operation even with the use of modern equipment.
Watch the video below to learn about the recovery and transportation of this unique megalithic artifact.
Pinzán Morado
A monolithic slab with an inverted T-shape over a deeply framed rectangle of unusual proportions was first reported by archaeologist Victor Osorio in the mid 1990's and subsequently reburied near the small locality of Pinzan Morado, about 10 kilometers from San Miguel Ixtapan. The slab was again excavated by local farmers, leaving part of an inverted T-shape profile exposed. A proposal to fully excavate this slab and move it to the site museum of San Miguel Ixtapan has been presented to the INAH. This slab is unusual not only for its proportions, but also for being the farthest so far discovered from the archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan.
The top of a megalithic stone slab recently unearthed near the locality of Pinzan Morado, about 10 kilometers from San Miguel Ixtapan. The proportions of this slab are unusual compared to the others found at the archaeological site and near the Church.
(Photo: Marco M. Vigato/ ARX Project)
Rio Aquiagua and Megalithic Quarry
In May of 2024, taking advantage of an exceptional drought in this part of Mexico, our team had the opportunity to explore the course of the Aquiagua river that flows through the archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan amidst spectacular cliffs and columnar basalt formations. The expedition was able to cover nearly 8 kilometers of the Aquiagua river and the nearby Rio San Felipe, uncovering significant evidence of Prehispanic occupation and monumental structures along the entire course of the river. The expedition documented extensive ancient terraces and fortifications, large stone walls built of pieces of columnar basalt, rock shelters and caves.
Different views of the megalithic quarry found along the Aquiagua River, near San Miguel Ixtapan, and of the huge megalithic stone block still in the process of extraction found inside the quarry, which is surrounded by spectacular basalt formations.
(Photos: Marco M. Vigato/ ARX Project)
The most significant find was a megalithic quarry containing a huge, semi-finished basalt stone block measuring over 3 by 3 meters and weighing in excess of 25 tons. The massive boulder was probably meant to be carved into a rectangular slab, as evidenced by the peculiar scoop marks found around the central portion of the block. This is the largest stone block ever found at the site, and one of the largest in Mesoamerica, being moreover one of only a handful of known megalithic quarries in ancient Mexico. A possible ramp was found next to the quarry, descending towards the river, in such a way as to suggest that the river was likely used for transporting the huge stones to their final destination, perhaps with the use of rafts or sledges during the dry season.
The search for a cave along the dry river bed, said to contain mysterious carvings, did not produce any results. A new expedition will be attempted next year as soon as the rains subside.
Watch the video below to see some of the findings from our latest expedition.
Additional megalithic finds
All around San Miguel Ixtapan, our team was able to document several carved megalithic stone monuments that may have formed part of some larger structure. These range in size from huge monolithic stone slabs, to pieces of columns, lintels, and other architectural fragments. 3D Photogrammetry models of all these artifacts have been created and are available for download in the ARX Project Digital Content Library.
1. Chacana (Andean Cross) near the church of San Miguel Ixtpan. 2-3. ICAMEX slab inside the protected archaeological site of San Miguel Ixtapan. 4. Architectural fragment found in the village of San Miguel Ixtapan. 5. Plain monolithic slab near Cerro de la Guitarra. 6. Carved stone slab with part of an inverted T in low relief, from Cerro de la Guitarra. 7-8. Plain monolithic slab from Cerro de la Guitarra, found near a small destroyed pyramidal mound.
(Photos: Marco M. Vigato/ ARX Project)
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