La Soledad de Maciel | La Chole
La Soledad de Maciel, also known in the region as "La Chole", is located about 20 kilometers to the southeast of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on the southern side of Petatán, accessible via Highway 200. The cut-off to the site is near the small settlement of Palos Blancos and is now clearly marked with a sign. Although the area has been studied by archeologists from Mexico's National Institute of Archaeology and History (INAH), it is not officially under its aegis. The site is located in a dry rocky area of the Pacific coast surrounded by coconut plantations and includes several large stones carved with figures, a cave in which rock carvings can be seen, some unexcavated mounds, a ball court and the carved stone rings that were used in the court. Many of the smaller artifacts found at the site are now housed in Zihuatanejo's Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande (Archaeological Museum). Some of the larger stone rings and cylinders are to be found in the Petatlan town plaza. If you wish to visit the site, the villagers will be glad to guide you for a modest fee, and taking a guide and thus supporting the town in its efforts, is definitely recommended. A collection is also on view in a small museum put together by the local residents of the village of Soledad de Maciel, and next to the town church one can see a large stone carved with petroglyphs (left - El Rey de la Chole). The small museum has a couple of display cases holding various artifacts and the villagers also sell replicas of some of the more interesting pieces.
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2008 update
INAH has now stepped in and have evaludated the La Chole site more extensively. Artifacts linked to many cultures, including the Tarascan, Aztec, Toltec and even Olmec and Maya cultures have been discovered as well as what is purported to be the largest known ball court in Mesoamerica. Funds are now being directed to the area for more study and excavations are underway.
Bear's trip to La Soledad de Maciel