Bocana del Río Copalita, New Archeological Site

Written by Mexico Expert: Daniel, Mexico, April 2011

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Monument - Natural

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Comment from Mexico Expert: Daniel

Bocana del Río Copalita, New Archeological Site

Located just 7 miles away from the coastline outlining one of Huatulco Bay’s unspoiled beaches, Copalita, in the state of Oaxaca, lies this brand new archaeological site.

The first one of its kind, never before has a vestige of such completeness been excavated on the coastline of the entire Mexican landscape. Its name originates from the nahuatl tongue (the one spoken by the Aztecs) meaning “the place of Copal”, an incense like mineral used for religious purposes. It is part of an ecological reserve totaling over 81 hectares out of which 13 are open to the public. Eleven endemic species coexist within its area and it has the capacity to host 1,000 visitors per day.

Research so far has shown the site’s age goes back 2,500 years in time, during which it has been at times populated and abandoned.

As most human occupation areas in Mexico during its later historical period it was dominated by the Aztec people; toward its origins though it was built up by Maya groups migrating from the Tehuantepec Isthmus.

Among its main monuments the so called “Templo Mayor”, Ball Game, four inhabited complexes and a few carved stones depict through architecture, art and archeological findings the history of a part of Mexico that adds up to that of one of the culturally wealthiest nations in the world.

Do not let any more time pass you by! Come and see it for yourself and once you are done take a tour around Huatulco’s nine treasure bays, Oaxaca’s colonial past and diverse culture, its coffee plantations and natural resources that will leave you with an emptiness of heart you will only fulfill by coming back.

Photo by: Hector Montana

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