Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana Volumen 76, núm. 2, A111223, 2024 http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2024v76n2a111223

Exploración geofísica para la identificación de elementos arquitectónicos enterrados en la zona arqueológica Izapa, Chiapas

Geophysical exploration for the identification of buried architectural elements in the archaeological zone of Izapa, Chiapas

Denisse L. Argote Espino^1,*, Gerardo Cifuentes Nava², Alejandro J. Uriarte Torres¹,

Ivonne A. Pérez Alcántara³, Pedro A. López García⁴

¹ Dirección de Estudios Arqueológicos, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia. Calle Tacuba 76 4to piso, Colonia Centro, 06000, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX, México.

² Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Circuito de Investigación, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Coyoacán, CDMX, México.

³ Centro INAH San Luis Potosí. Arista No. 933, Colonia Tequisquiapan, 78230 San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México.

⁴ Posgrado de Arqueología, Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia. Periférico Sur esq. Calle Zapote, Colonia Isidro Fabela, 14030 Tlalpan, CDMX, México.

* Autor para correspondencia:( (D.L. Argote Espino) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cómo citar este artículo:

Argote Espino, D.L., Cifuentes Nava, G., Uriarte Torres, A.J., Pérez Alcántara, I.A., López García, P.A., 2024, Exploración geofísica para la identificación de elementos arquitectónicos enterrados en la zona arqueológica Izapa, Chiapas: Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 76 (2), A111223. http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2024v76n2a111223

Manuscrito recibido: 16 de Septiembre de 2023; manuscrito corregido: 15 de Noviembre de 2023; manuscrito aceptado: 25 de Noviembre de 2023.

ABSTRACT

The archaeological zone of Izapa was an important pre-Hispanic settlement of probable Mixe-Zoque affiliation in the Soconusco region, southeast of the current state of Chiapas, whose occupational sequence extended from the Early Preclassic (1800 BC) to the Early Postclassic (1200 AD). Throughout its long habitation, various population movements occurred within the settlement. During the Classic period, in the complex known as Group F, of which only 2.88 ha are currently protected, monumental structures were built that integrated a civic-ritual compound. Previous research identified a prolonged constructive sequence, specifically in the main pyramid (Structure 125-A). To identify possible construction moments prior to those currently appreciated and determine the state of conservation of some of its monumental structures, a geophysical survey was carried out by means of georadar and electrical resistivity tomography techniques in various areas of Group F. Through these, it was possible to detect several anomalies that can be interpreted as archaeological structures, including platforms, channels and walls. Some of these elements were verified by archaeological excavations. The different depths at which these possible structures are located speak of a prolonged occupation of Group F, with various modifications to its architectural configuration.

Keywords: ground penetrating radar, electric resistivity tomography, archaeological prospection, archaeological zone of Izapa, Chiapas.