Los Guachimontones

Los Guachimontones is the largest Late Formative to Classic period pre-Columbian archaeological site in the state of Jalisco [1]. Los Guachimontones is one of several dozen Teuchitlán Culture sites within the Tequila Valleys, though it is by far the largest site in terms of both the number and size of its ceremonial buildings [1]. These buildings, called guachimontones after the site name, are bulls-eye shaped buildings consisting of several distinct architectural elements that constitute a whole structure [1]. Major construction began in the Late Formative and continued into the Early Classic [1]. Monumental construction appears to have tapered off in the Late Classic with a decline in population followed by a drastic decline in the Epiclassic [1]. The archaeological site boundaries of Los Guachimontones consist of two ceremonial areas, numerous house mounds, and terraced hillsides covering an area of approximately 19 hectares [1]. The two ceremonial areas are Los Guachimontones, located on the hill slopes, and Loma Alta [1].