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

The Northwest Complex covers approximately 2.8 ha and lies roughly 100 m
west of the ejido’s residential zone. The architectural pattern follows the well known
Villa Alta phase construction complexes, and is a diminutive version of the main plaza
group in the Cerro de Moctezuma Complex. The Northwest Complex differs from that of
Cerro de Moctezuma, however, in that it is oriented roughly northwest-to-southeast. The
North Complex and Northeast Complex are amalgamations of structures of indeterminate
chronology. Ceramic evidence spans the Middle Formative to the Classic periods.
The Throne Complex is so named due to its spatial relationship with the Olmec
monumental throne. Preliminary investigation suggests that the complex’s construction
occurred during the Formative period and may have been the result of more than one
construction event. Since the initial survey, remains of other structures and complexes
have been recorded.
El Marquesillo Archaeological Project – 2002-2003
Further exploration of the site was conducted by Hernández in November, 2002,
and emphasis was placed on the investigation of the Formative period component of the
site. She directed the excavation of seven 1.5 m x 1.5 m test units in the area of the
Northeast Complex, which produced an excess of 35,000 ceramic artifacts. The
determination for the location of these units was based on analysis of the cut bank
material. Units 1, 2, and 3 were placed relative to where extensive ceramic deposits
appeared in the exposed river cut. Unit 4 was placed near the base of Structure 84, a 6 m
earthen mound, and Unit 5 was located near the center of the Complex’s plaza. Units 6
and 7 were situated to determine the extent of the ceramic deposition. A systematic
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