Chiapa de Corzo Archaeological Zone
Chiapa de Corzo Mound 5 · Soctón Nandalumí
Formative 1400 BCE–300 CE (Escalera phase)·Mixe-Zoque (Chiapa de Corzo tradition) / Olmec–Maya bridge·🇲🇽 Chiapas, Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico
About
About Chiapa de Corzo Archaeological Zone
Oldest continuously occupied Zoque capital (1400 BCE–1200 CE) and birthplace of Long Count: Mound 5 22 m high, plaza with Long Count Stela 2 (36 BCE earliest date), tomb with mosaic masks. Olmec–Maya–Zoque transition with Mixe-Zoque writing, nascent hieroglyphic, burials with Olmec celts and early cacao. Gareth Lowe and Thomas Lee mapped 200 structures; discovered 2010 Tomb 1 with Chiapanec warlord.
Why it mattersEarlier Long Count than Maya (36 BCE); proves Zoque authored calendar before lowland Maya.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether Chiapa Zoque invented Long Count vs Olmec
- 02Stela 2 grammar is Zoquean not Mayan
Theories
- 01Mixe-Zoque script diffuses to Maya
- 02Chiapa as Olmec bridge enclave
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1400 BCE–300 CE; Stela 2 36 BCE
- Period
- Formative 1400 BCE–300 CE (Escalera phase)
- Culture
- Mixe-Zoque (Chiapa de Corzo tradition) / Olmec–Maya bridge
- Builders
- Mixe-Zoque
- Purpose
- Civic-ceremonial capital, Long Count origin and early kingship
- Abandoned
- c.1200 CE (progressive move to Tuxtla)
- Rediscovered
- 1942 Stirling notes monuments; NWAF 1958–64
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
36 BCE
Stela 2 Long Count dedication
2010
Tomb 1 warlord discovery
On the ground
Structures & features
16.7111° N · 93.0222° W · 410 m · 2 mapped features
Mound 5 Plaza Pyramid
pyramid22 m high temple pyramid with stucco masks
16.7115° N · 93.0220° WStela 2 Long Count Monument
stelaLimestone stela with 7.16.3.2.13 = 36 BCE date
16.7105° N · 93.0225° W