Oxtotitlán, Rock shelter and archaeological site in Chilapa de Álvarez, Mexico.
Oxtotitlán is a rock shelter with two shallow grottos carved into a cliff face, spanning about 200 square meters with ancient paintings and murals. The grottos sit one above the other and display various artistic techniques applied directly onto the stone surface.
The site dates to around 900 BCE and displays painting styles in the Olmec tradition, marking it as one of the earliest examples of advanced painted art in Mesoamerica. The artistic tradition shows an established culture already skilled in complex imagery and refined techniques.
The multicolored murals show rulers, serpents, and figures wearing owl masks that reveal the spiritual world of ancient people. These images help visitors today understand how the inhabitants saw their gods and the natural world around them.
Visitors need to register at the village of Acatlán before accessing the site, where local caretakers manage the archaeological remains. It is advisable to go with a guide to better understand the paintings and navigate safely on the uneven ground.
The northern grotto displays black pigment paintings of animals and mythological figures, while the southern section shows red geometric patterns with different artistic purposes. This contrast in colors and designs suggests that different artists or periods contributed to these paintings.
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