Izapa Group A and B Ruin Site, Tapachula Chiapas State, Mexico, Page Two
Izapa Ruin Site group A and B has mounds and a ball court as yet stabilized. Of
interest are the many standing stones, some with carvings such as Stela Five,
others having cylindrical shapes and being capped by a round stone the same
size as the cylinder. The three site of Izapa are within a mile of one another
interest are the many standing stones, some with carvings such as Stela Five,
others having cylindrical shapes and being capped by a round stone the same
size as the cylinder. The three site of Izapa are within a mile of one another
Izapa Ruin Site in Tapachula Chiapas an ancient city with Olmec
influence that was actively building from 850BC to 300 BC
influence that was actively building from 850BC to 300 BC
Izapa Ruin site, is an abandoned stone city built by the local settlers starting approximately 1500 BC
and influenced by the Olmec culture through trade and migration. The city reached a high point between
900 BC to 300 BC. Izapa was the center of a large culture settled along the coastal plain and river delta
near what is the current border with Guatemala and the present day city of Tapachula in Chiapas State,
Mexico.
Izapa has been little studied except by a Mathew Sterling project and by the New World Archaeology
Foundation, which conducted extensive studies at Izapa focus mainly on the stela.
The site was once an important Olmec political and religious center and contributed to the Olmec art and
architecture that was to later spread throughout Mesoamerica
The three sites open today for visits are small remnants of a huge sprawling city that developed its own
unique style of art after the Olmec influence ended at about 200 AD. Ancient art is found on many standing
stones. A site at Tonala (Iglesia Viejo) to the north has similar Olmec art as does many small sites in the
Tapachula area.
and influenced by the Olmec culture through trade and migration. The city reached a high point between
900 BC to 300 BC. Izapa was the center of a large culture settled along the coastal plain and river delta
near what is the current border with Guatemala and the present day city of Tapachula in Chiapas State,
Mexico.
Izapa has been little studied except by a Mathew Sterling project and by the New World Archaeology
Foundation, which conducted extensive studies at Izapa focus mainly on the stela.
The site was once an important Olmec political and religious center and contributed to the Olmec art and
architecture that was to later spread throughout Mesoamerica
The three sites open today for visits are small remnants of a huge sprawling city that developed its own
unique style of art after the Olmec influence ended at about 200 AD. Ancient art is found on many standing
stones. A site at Tonala (Iglesia Viejo) to the north has similar Olmec art as does many small sites in the
Tapachula area.
Izapa's cylindrical columns share the plaza in front of the large
pyramid with other carved stela that have a flat round stone in front
of them, some with carved legs that resemble large metate.
pyramid with other carved stela that have a flat round stone in front
of them, some with carved legs that resemble large metate.
The Izapa ruin site is set in deep jungle most now growing chocolate banana, avocado, and
mango. Wild fruit continually falls from trees along the dirt road to ruins group A and B. Standing
stones are propped up in farmers pastures and in places the access road has been cut through
small site mounds.
mango. Wild fruit continually falls from trees along the dirt road to ruins group A and B. Standing
stones are propped up in farmers pastures and in places the access road has been cut through
small site mounds.
Collectivos headed for the ruin pass by the terminal. The Talisman bound collectivo makes many runs
throughout the day and will stop at the Izapa ruin site.
To visit the Izapa ruin Site, catch the white collective taxis as they make runs in front of the bus terminal
headed for the town of Talisman. They run about every 15 minutes and cost about 8 pesos. They start
near the market district in the center of the city at a large terminal for collectivos.
The three Izapa sites are spread about a mile apart, one near the main road , Group F, and two a mile
distant at the end of a dirt road, group A and B.
The complex was once a huge city but is now not much more than un-excavated mounds except for group
F. The three groups have some unique stone carvings and glyphs, however, and one , a snake, turtle, or
frogs head is made of magnetic stone with the animals head polarized towards magnetic north.
Hotels, are plentiful in Tapachula near the lively center. (20-45 USD, 200 - 400 Pesos )
An archaeological museum near the center houses a great collection of ceramic and stone artifacts from
Izapa and the many smaller sites in the area. Artifacts in the Tapachula Museum show Olmec, Mayan,
Zapotec, Mixtec, and Aztec influence.
throughout the day and will stop at the Izapa ruin site.
To visit the Izapa ruin Site, catch the white collective taxis as they make runs in front of the bus terminal
headed for the town of Talisman. They run about every 15 minutes and cost about 8 pesos. They start
near the market district in the center of the city at a large terminal for collectivos.
The three Izapa sites are spread about a mile apart, one near the main road , Group F, and two a mile
distant at the end of a dirt road, group A and B.
The complex was once a huge city but is now not much more than un-excavated mounds except for group
F. The three groups have some unique stone carvings and glyphs, however, and one , a snake, turtle, or
frogs head is made of magnetic stone with the animals head polarized towards magnetic north.
Hotels, are plentiful in Tapachula near the lively center. (20-45 USD, 200 - 400 Pesos )
An archaeological museum near the center houses a great collection of ceramic and stone artifacts from
Izapa and the many smaller sites in the area. Artifacts in the Tapachula Museum show Olmec, Mayan,
Zapotec, Mixtec, and Aztec influence.
The Group B site is most notable
for the standing stones that are
located in a large plaza at the
base of a large un restored
pyramidal platform. In this view
looking north, the small green roof
structures protect the stones that
are laid out at the four cardinal
points. To the right in this photo,
the top of an un-excavated mound
can be seen having just been
cleared of vegetation and in the
center right the edge of an un
restored ball court .
for the standing stones that are
located in a large plaza at the
base of a large un restored
pyramidal platform. In this view
looking north, the small green roof
structures protect the stones that
are laid out at the four cardinal
points. To the right in this photo,
the top of an un-excavated mound
can be seen having just been
cleared of vegetation and in the
center right the edge of an un
restored ball court .
Stele Five is located in the Group A
section of Izapa, about a mile from the
main group and entrance.
The New World Archaeology Foundation
has conducted extensive studies at
Izapa, primarily because a carved stone
discovered and designated Stele 5 by
Mathew Sterling in a 1940s dig
reportedly shows a depiction of the tree
of life and is offered by the NWAF, a
Mormon group, as a validation of the
Book of Mormon.
Other investigators cite the depiction of a
boat and the eastern (Asian) trappings
as proof of a connection by sea to Near
Eastern or Asian seafarers. (Egyptians)
Stele 5 is located in Group A but is very
hard to read at this time because it has
been subjected to weathering over many
years.
section of Izapa, about a mile from the
main group and entrance.
The New World Archaeology Foundation
has conducted extensive studies at
Izapa, primarily because a carved stone
discovered and designated Stele 5 by
Mathew Sterling in a 1940s dig
reportedly shows a depiction of the tree
of life and is offered by the NWAF, a
Mormon group, as a validation of the
Book of Mormon.
Other investigators cite the depiction of a
boat and the eastern (Asian) trappings
as proof of a connection by sea to Near
Eastern or Asian seafarers. (Egyptians)
Stele 5 is located in Group A but is very
hard to read at this time because it has
been subjected to weathering over many
years.
Stele Five
Stele Five digitally sharpened
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Stele Five, Izapa Group A
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The ruin is within 8
miles of the medium
sized city of Tapachula
where lodging and night
life are available.
Tapachula has a fine
museum in the center
near the zocalo where
artifacts are displayed
Tapachula is served by
a major ADO, OCC,
and Tika bus terminal.
miles of the medium
sized city of Tapachula
where lodging and night
life are available.
Tapachula has a fine
museum in the center
near the zocalo where
artifacts are displayed
Tapachula is served by
a major ADO, OCC,
and Tika bus terminal.
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Izapa Group A and B Ruin Site, Tapachula Chiapas State, Mexico is
of interest for carved stones. The Group B site is most notable for
the carved standing stones that are located in a large plaza at the
base of a large un restored pyramidal platform.
of interest for carved stones. The Group B site is most notable for
the carved standing stones that are located in a large plaza at the
base of a large un restored pyramidal platform.
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