Guatemala

Chocolá

Preclassic Maya site, southern Guatemala

Location

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Historical Context

About

Chocolá is a Preclassic Southern Maya site whose developmental emphasis was from c. 1000 BC to AD 200. The site lies within the Southern Maya area. Chocolá is in the San Pablo Jocopilas municipality in the southern Suchitepéquez Department of Guatemala. A modern village lies on top of and within the ancient site.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Major occupation

c. 1000 BCE to AD 200

Middle Preclassic earthen edifice

c. 800 BCE

Water system dated

as early as 500 BCE

Karl Sapper discovery

late 19th century

Robert Burkitt excavations

1920s

Water networks discovered in fieldwork

2003–2005

Proyecto Arqueologico Chocola (PACH) begins

2003

Cacao residues identified

2017

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Miscellaneous Features

Caches
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Water Management Features

Irrigation CanalsAqueductsWells
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Public and Civic Structures

Administrative Buildings
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Burial and Funerary Structures

Pyramids
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Industrial and Craft Structures

Workshops
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Religious and Ritual Structures

StelaeAltarsCeremonial Platforms
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Artistic and Decorative Features

MonumentsFigurinesStatuesAltars
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Agricultural and Land Use Features

Field SystemsOrchards
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

PalacesHousesVillagesCaves
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Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial MoundsModified Caves
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Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures

Stone Alignments
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Guatemala

Coordinates

14.62° N, -91.43° E