Laguna de los Cerros, Archaeological site in Acayucan, Mexico.
Laguna de los Cerros is an Olmec archaeological site in the southern foothills of the Tuxtla Mountains in Mexico, where around 100 earthen mounds are arranged around rectangular open plazas. The core site is accompanied by several smaller satellite settlements scattered across the surrounding area.
This site took shape between 1400 and 1200 BCE, making it one of the four main Olmec centers in Mesoamerica at the time. It grew alongside Tres Zapotes, San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, and La Venta, all of which were active during roughly the same period.
The way the mounds are arranged around open plazas gives a clear sense of how the Olmec organized public life at this site. Visitors can walk among these earthen structures and imagine the gatherings that once took place in the open spaces between them.
The site sits on hilly terrain that can be difficult to walk after rain, so visiting during the drier months makes it easier to move around. The grounds cover a large area, so comfortable footwear and plenty of water are a good idea.
An area within the site known as Llano del Jicaro served as a workshop where basalt stone found nearby was cut and shaped into monuments. This points to a division of labor across Olmec sites, with each location taking on a specific role within a wider network.
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