Zoque Culture Archaeological Zone

The Zoque Culture Archaeological Zone at Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, is one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Mesoamerica, first settled around 1250 BC. Between 800 and 700 BC it evolved into one of the earliest linearly planned towns in the region, becoming the Zoque capital at 70 hectares. In 2010, excavation of Mound 11 revealed one of Mesoamerica's oldest pyramid tombs (c. 700 BC), containing two elite burials adorned with approximately 4,000 pieces of jade, pearl shell, and amber. The site served as a crucial conduit between late Gulf Olmec society and the early Maya, with its E-Group astronomical configuration predating Maya examples by one to two centuries.