Archaeologists have uncovered 34 carved stone monuments on Cerro Patlachique, a southern sacred mountain that rises above the ancient city of Teotihuacan in central Mexico. The hill, long tied to spiritual practices in Mesoamerican culture, appears to have been a destination for religious rituals and ceremonial journeys stretching back more than 2,000 years.
The research, led by Nawa Sugiyama of the University of California, Riverside, is one of the most detailed studies ever conducted on the site. Findings were published in the journal Antiquity, and stem from years of field surveys and laser-based scans carried out between 2018 and 2022.
The team identified temples, ceremonial platforms, and water basins carved into the landscape, along with a possible ceremonial road built to align with the city’s layout. But the 34 monuments are the centerpiece of this discovery. Most carvings are directly into volcanic rock, and many feature symbols relate to water, weather, and the religious calendar of ancient cultures in the Mexican region.
Carvings point to worship of rain, water, and the calendar
The stone carvings provide evidence that Cerro Patlachique was a central place for spiritual activity during and after the time of Teotihuacan’s peak, which occurred between the years 150 and 550 A.D. Many of the newly documented carvings depict deities associated with rain and water — especially early forms of the god Tlaloc, a major figure in Mesoamerican religion. Some carvings also show a female water goddess, possibly representing a counterpart to Tlaloc.
Researchers believe the site may have hosted large rituals connected to the cycles of nature, especially rainfall and seasonal changes. The location of some carvings at the headwaters of small streams suggests that water worship played a critical role in the mountain’s spiritual importance.
Other carvings relate to the Mesoamerican calendar. Thirteen monuments display date markings using symbols such as “8 House” and “13 Flint.” These signs maybe represent important ceremonies or visits to the mountain, and possibly document religious festivals or moments of personal devotion.
One standout carving shows a seated figure on a mat — a symbol often linked to leadership. The figure has fire symbols and a calendar date around, hinting at the presence of elite religious leaders or ceremonial fire rituals held at the summit.
Evidence of centuries-long pilgrimage and ritual use
Fragments of pottery scattered around the summit suggest that the mountain had spiritual significance long before Teotihuacan rose to prominence. Nearly half of the ceramics date to 100–1 B.C., while others belong to later periods — showing that the mountain continued to attract pilgrims even after the city declined. Groups such as the Mexica likely made spiritual journeys to the site in later centuries.
While some carvings appear carefully crafted, others are rough or appear altered over time. A few include markings that resemble personal etchings, suggesting individuals may have returned to the mountain for private acts of devotion.
Despite damage from erosion and vandalism in recent decades, the discovery adds to growing evidence that Cerro Patlachique served as a powerful religious landmark. Advanced digital mapping and 3D imaging serve to protect and preserve the site.
The findings not only offer a deeper understanding of Teotihuacan’s religious landscape but also highlight the lasting cultural power of mountains in Mesoamerican spiritual life. The newly recorded monuments reflect a history shaped by ritual, nature, and the enduring practice of pilgrimage.