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Mexico:
Archeological Sites
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Toniná Territories of power "Place of the Thrones" from where some dynastic families of astronomers, architects, military, artists and merchants directed the essential institutions of the towns for the production and reproduction of the society. Here the crops of corn and bean were paid, blood was offered in sacrifice, as much in wars as in monumental constructions. The stone is the construction material that prevails in Toniná, its platforms, stairways, and roofs were built with stone. In Toniná the architecture as in the sculpture the changes of the cycle of the sky were celebrated and the dynastic succession of the ruling families who fed the celestial machinery with their blood and they moved the aquatic forces of the agriculture were remembered. The territory of power in Toniná has has two big constructive spaces: the great platform defined by an architectural barrier and the pyramidal structure of seven big platforms and 260 steps. The ritual that obsessed these towns was the decapitation of prisoners of war. Evidence of hundred of decapitations exist and this practice was carried out, even, in the sculptural deitities of stone and mud. Toniná called this way by the indigenous tzeltales means the "House of Stone". The relative iconography to Toniná indicates two clearly identified times for its divinities: the first one from 300 to 700 D.C. and the second from 700 to 900 D.C. The archaeological site of Toniná also has a very well designed museum with important pieces and very interesting information. Admission fee: $30 pesos. Free: Students, teachers, members of the INSEN and on Sundays. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00 hours. How to arrive? From Ocosingo take a combi (van), they leave from the market direct to Toniná, they cost $10 pesos. |
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