An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

The extensive Villa Alta architectural complex at El Marquesillo (see Figure 3.10)
is associated with the Late Classic and possibly the early Postclassic period. This type of
compound has also been referred to as a long-plaza building complex (Killion and Urcid
2001:11) and, because of its consistent architectural arrangement, is easily recognizable
on the landscape. There are significant variations in the scale and complexity of these
compounds from site to site, and Killion and Urcid (2001:11-12) have developed a three-
tiered site hierarchy from a comparative analysis of the data.
At El Marquesillo, the 32 m high earthen pyramid known as Cerro de Montezuma
anchors the north end of a 165 m long plaza (see Figure 3.10). This grand plaza is
bordered on the east and west by two parallel range-type buildings rising from 3-8 m in
height. A smaller, ovoid-shaped mound completes the restricted enclosure on the south.
This plaza complex is located approximately 250 m south of the Olmec throne location.
The central complex and its associated structures are in excess of 50 with a
number of pyramidal bases supporting four or more superstructures. The true extent of
this portion of the site will also never be known due to the elimination of structures by
the river’s erosive action. All of the constructions believed to be associated with this Late
Classic complex lie to the south and west of the primary plaza group, and all are oriented
on a roughly north-to-south axis.
A second, smaller and less complex Villa Alta architectural grouping is located
approximately 1400 m northwest of the primary Late Classic complex. A limited,
informal survey of the region produced evidence of at least six more Villa Alta
complexes within 4 km to the south of El Marquesillo. There are more as one travels in
any direction away from the site, but none rival the principal complex in size and quantity
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