Geophysical Prospection in Xalla, Teotihuacan, Mexico

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Palace of Xalla in Teotihuacan: A Possible Seat of Power in the Ancient Metropolis" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

We present preliminary results of a non-destructive geophysical prospection conducted in Xalla, Teotihuacan, Mexico, located NE of the Pyramid of the Sun. Xalla is Teotihuacan's multifunctional palace complex conformed by eight plazas and 29 structures. This study includes data analysis of magnetic, electromagnetic conductivity, and seismic refraction surveys. Analysis of magnetic and conductivity surveys, carried out in seven of the eight plazas, indicate several NW–SE and SW–NE features. These orientations do not match with Teotihuacan's alignment; however, they can be constructive squares modules. Areas considered to be those with the highest human occupation coincide with those with medium to high values in the magnetic and conductivity images. Donut-like shape with lower values at their center in magnetic images, and medium to high values in conductivity images, together with those isolated low magnetic anomalies, could be interpreted as looters' pits or excavation ditches. Seismic refraction was performed in the SE part of the main plaza. Tomography images suggest architectonic structures such as walls in the shallowest and lowest layers. Deeper seismic features are considered to be of geological origin. Our results shed light on the potential of geophysics prospection to unravel hidden features of the palace of Xalla.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• The Palace of Xalla in Teotihuacan: A Possible Seat of Power in the Ancient Metropolis

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 33467