Alta Vista Columns, Tropic OF Cancer
Ruin Site, Zacatecas State, Mexico
Alta Vista is a ruin with
interesting  columns that the
ancients built on the Tropic
OF Cancer in Zacatecas
State, Mexico.
Also called Chalchihuites  like
the town nearby, the ruin is
believed to be a ritual center
and solar observatory built by
the Teotihuacan culture
Alta Vista or Chalchihuites as the ruin is called has been examined by Archeoastronomer Anthony F. Aveni and
found to contain solar significance and a deliberate placement on the Tropic of Cancer by builders of the
Teotihuacan culture.  
A solar equinox alignment and a summer solstice alignment of the sun over a distant mountain at dawn and two
Teotihuacan style petroglyphs led to the conclusions that Alta Vista was a Teotihuacan ceremonial outpost at the
northern limit of Mesoamerica. Charles Kelley was the principle investigator at Alta Vista
Alta Vista's  solar equinox
alignment
and a summer solstice
alignment of the sun over  
distant mountains Picaho and
Chapin at dawn and two
Teotihuacan style petroglyphs
led to the conclusions that Alta
Vista was a Teotihuacan
ceremonial outpost at the
northern limit of Mesoamerica.
Charles Kelley authored a
book about his investigations
at Alta Vista
Other Mesoamerican sites with solar observatories
Alta Vista also
called Chalchihuites
has been of interest
to
Archeoastronomers
because of solstice
alignments and its
deliberate
placement on the
Tropic of Cancer by
builders of the
Teotihuacan culture.
 
Alta Vista rooms of Columns on the
tropic of Cancer make it an enigmatic
ruin site in Zacatecas State, Mexico
The site is also called  Chalchihuites
after the nearby town.  The ruin
contains solar significance in its
deliberate placement on the Tropic of
Cancer by builders of the Teotihuacan
culture.  
A solar equinox alignment and a
summer solstice alignment combined
with  Teotihuacan style petroglyphs  
mark it as a Teotihuacan ceremonial
outpost
Alta Vista is at the northern limit of Mesoamerica.  Archaeologists believe
that the site was a ceremonial outpost built by the Teotihuacan Culture.
The site has panoramic views of distant mountain peaks where alignments
have been noted during the equinox and solstice.
The site has a museum.  The nearby town of Chalchihuites  provide lodging
and limited services for visitors.   Many visitors come during the Zenith days
of June 21-22 to note the alignments  created by the builders.
Custom Search
Custom Search
Reach Alta Vista/Chalchihuites
Alta Vista or Chalchihuites as the ruin is called has been of
interest to Archeoastronomers.
Flights via American Airlines, Delta, Mexicana, and Aeromexico reach Zacatecas
Airport,(ZCL) La Calera Airport.
Buses out of Mexico City Norte Station provide budget Zacatecas Travel.   In the Centro
Historico of Zacatecas City, Zacatecas hotels offer all levels of service from Luxury hotels
to budget accommodations.  Hotels offer Rental cars, budget tours, and proximity to the
Churches which show off the wealth of Colonial Zacatecas.