Cerro de las Mesas, Archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico
Cerro de las Mesas is an archaeological site with numerous earthen mounds scattered across a flat landscape near the Papaloápan River. The mounds vary in elevation and cover a large area, revealing the layout and construction methods of the ancient settlement.
The site originated around 600 BCE as a regional power center and sustained this role for several centuries. Its peak development occurred from the 3rd to 6th century CE, marking a period of greatest influence before gradual decline.
Carved stone slabs throughout the site display portraits and writing systems from the Epi-Olmec period, visible as visitors walk among the mounds. These carvings reveal how ancient peoples expressed themselves and recorded information in their daily lives.
Walking paths connect the mounds throughout the site, making exploration on foot straightforward. Visitors should allow time to move at a leisurely pace and see the different areas without rush.
Excavations beneath one mound revealed hundreds of jade objects, including a canoe with carved jaguar figures from earlier Olmec cultures. This discovery demonstrates the artistic skill and broader cultural connections of the ancient peoples who built this site.
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