Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site in Guanajuato Mexico

This recently discovered archaeological site in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico was built by the Otomi culture. The site sits on private land and has been strictly controlled since it was first opened to visitors just a few years ago. 

It is thought that Cañada De La Virgen was most likely built after the collapse of the Teotihuacan around 530 CE. Around 900 CE the Otomi civilization began to decline and the site was abandoned by 1050 CE. Cañada De La Virgen was not rediscovered until the late 20th century. Archaeological work and research is ongoing to this day.

There are seven enormous pyramidal structures of different sizes and styles, sunken patios, squares, a ball game court, esplanades and a 1 km long road. The entire site appears to have been designed as a celestial observatory. 

The Otomi people who built this amazing place are said to have been keen astronomers and that they generationally passed down information. It seems they carefully selected this site and carefully built upon it; the site faces the celestial north with confirmed lunar and planetary observations built into the site. The Northern sky spins on its axis all year and aligns perfectly with the site. The moon advances up the stairs of the pyramid as its cycle advances; the moon rises and falls perfectly in notches on the pyramid at key times in the lunar cycle. The main Pyramid’s sunken patio functioned as water mirror from which the stars could be observed in reflection. The buildings on site are located on an artificially created plateau creating an 18° tilt. because of this, the Sun passes over various points of the architectural complex, marking calendar dates linked to survival control as well as agricultural activities.