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Chojolom is a small Maya archaeological site in the western highlands of Guatemala. The site features a number of sculpted stones that are presumed to belong to the Kʼicheʼ Maya culture of the Postclassic Period (approximately AD 900–1520). Chojolom is situated on a hill in the municipality of Cantel, in the department of Quetzaltenango. The municipality is inhabited by Kʼicheʼ Maya to this day, who make up 93.8% of the local population. Cantel is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the modern city of Quetzaltenango at Kilometer 217 on the CA2 Highway. Chojolom is believed to have been a ritual site.

Chojolom means "by the head" in the Kʼicheʼ Maya language, deriving from the root word jolom ("head"). Local historian Mariano Cornejo has speculated that the depositing of the stone heads and the naming of the hill may be linked.

Sculptures

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As of September 2010 three sculpted stone heads have been found at the site; one of an armadillo, one human and one representing a deity. The heads were discovered when mud was cleared away after a period of heavy rain in 2010. One of the stone heads was found in a cave at the site. Ceramics and bones have also been found, which may represent a ritual offering. In addition to the stone heads, a clay head has also been found. A minor landslide in October 2010 revealed a stone altar under a tree root.

The Armadillo Head measures approximately 15 by 20 centimetres (5.9 by 7.9 in). The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is native to the Cantel region. The Armadillo Head was the first of the three stone heads to have been found by local farmer Sebastián Sam.

The Human Head measures 50 by 50 centimetres (20 by 20 in). It was the second stone head to be discovered at Chojolom.

The Deity Head is the largest sculpture, measuring 1.1 by 1.4 metres (3.6 by 4.6 ft). It was the third stone head to be found at the site.

The Altar measures 25 by 50 centimetres (9.8 by 19.7 in) and bears designs that include circles, hills, human figures and a deer. The combination of six human figures with the deer has been interpreted as a Maya calendrical date by Guatemalan anthropologist Lina Barrios.

Gallery

• The Human Head sculpture
• The Armadillo Head sculpture

See also

• Cerro Quiac

Notes

1. Rodas 2010-09-18.
2. Rodas 2010-09-18.
3. Rodas 2010-09-18. Rodríguez Rouanet et al 1992, p.2.
4. Anonymous 2010-09-18. Servicio de Información Municipal.
5. Inforpressca, p.6.
6. Rodas 2010-09-18.
7. Rodas 2010-09-18. Christenson, p.46.
8. Rodas 2010-09-18.
9. Rodas 2010-09-18.
10. Rodas 2010-09-18.
11. Rodas 2010-09-18.
12. Rodas 2010-09-18.
13. Rodas 2010-09-18.
14. Rodas 2010-10-05.
15. Rodas 2010-09-18.
16. Rodas 2010-09-18. Corporación Municipal 2001, p.14.
17. Anonymous 2010-09-18.
18. Rodas 2010-09-18.
19. Rodas 2010-09-18.
20. Rodas 2010-09-18.
21. Rodas 2010-09-18.
22. Rodas 2010-10-05.
23. Rodas 2010-10-05.

References

• Anonymous (2010-09-18). "Editorial: Hallazgos en Cantel deben protegerse" [Editorial: Finds in Cantel should be protected]. El Quetzalteco (in Spanish). Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
• Corporación Municipal (2001). "Plan Estratégico de Desarollo Integral del Municipio de Cantel" (PDF) (in Spanish). Cantel, Guatemala. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
• Christenson, Allen J. "K'iche' - English Dictionary and Guide to Pronunciation of the K'iche'-Maya Alphabet" (PDF). Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI). Retrieved 2010-10-18.
• Inforpressca. "Diagnostico, Área Urbana Cantel. Quetzaltenango" (PDF). Guatemala: Inforpressca. Retrieved 2010-10-19.
• Rodas, Leonel (2010-09-18). "Descubren piedras antiguas" [Ancient stones found]. El Quetzalteco (in Spanish). Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
• Rodas, Leonel (2010-10-05). "Descubren altar antiguo en Cantel" [Ancient altar found in Cantel]. El Quetzalteco (in Spanish). Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
• Rodríguez Rouanet, Francisco; Fernando Seijas; Gerardo Townson Rincón (1992). Quetzaltenango. Monografías de Guatemala, 3 (in Spanish). Guatemala: Banco Granai & Townson. OCLC 31406036.
• Servicio de Información Municipal. "Demografía del Municipio de Cantel, Quetzaltenango" (in Spanish). Guatemala City: Inforpressca. Retrieved 2010-10-19.

Further reading

• Chaclán, Ana C. (2012-03-03). "Sitio arqueológico atrae al turismo" [Archaeological site attracts tourism]. Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Guatemala City, Guatemala. Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2013-03-24.

v t e Maya sites
Belize	Actun Tunichil Muknal Altun Ha Baking Pot Barton Creek Cave Cahal Pech Caracol Cerros Chaa Creek Colha Cuello El Pilar KaʼKabish Kʼaxob La Milpa Lamanai Louisville Lower Dover Lubaantun Marco Gonzalez Minanha Nim Li Punit Nohmul Nohoch Cheʼen Pacbitun Pusilha San Estevan Santa Rita Tipu Uxbenka Xnaheb Xunantunich
Guatemala	Aguateca Altar de Sacrificios Arroyo de Piedra Balberta Bejucal Cancuén Cerro Quiac Chama Chitinamit Chocolá Chutixtiox Cotzumalhuapa Dos Pilas El Baúl El Chal El Mirador El Perú El Porvenir El Temblor El Tintal El Zotz Guaytán Holmul Holtun Itzan Iximche Ixkun Ixlu Ixtonton Ixtutz Kaminaljuyu Kinal Kʼatepan La Amelia La Blanca La Corona La Joyanca La Muerta Machaquila Mixco Viejo Montana Motul de San José Naachtun Nakbe Nakum Naranjo Pajaral Piedras Negras Punta de Chimino Quiriguá Qʼumarkaj Río Azul Sacul San Bartolo San Clemente Seibal Takalik Abaj Tamarindito Tayasal Tikal Topoxte Tres Islas Uaxactun Ucanal Wajxaklajun Witzna Xultun Yaxha Zacpeten Zaculeu Zapote Bobal
Honduras	Copán El Puente
Mexico	Acanceh Aguada Fénix Aké Balamku Balankanche Becan Bonampak Calakmul Chacchoben Chactún Chicanná Chinkultic Chichen Itza Chunchucmil Chunhuhub Chunlimón Coba Comalcalco Dzibanche Dzibilchaltun Edzna Ekʼ Balam Hormiguero Izamal Izapa Jaina Joljaʼ Kabah Kiuic Kohunlich Komchen Labna La Mar Mayapan Maní Moral Reforma Muyil Ocomtún Oxkintok Palenque Plan de Ayutla Pomona Punta Sur Río Bec San Gervasio Sayil Tamchen Toniná Tortuguero Tulum Uxmal Uxul Valeriana Xcaret Xelha Xlapak Xpuhil Xtampak Yaxchilan Yaxuná Yula Yoʼokop (for more articles see Category:Maya sites in Mexico)
El Salvador	Cara Sucia Casa Blanca Cihuatán Joya de Cerén San Andrés Tazumal
See also: Pre-Columbian era

• Maya sites
• Maya sites in Guatemala
• Archaeological sites in Guatemala
• Former populated places in Guatemala
• Quetzaltenango Department
• K'iche'
• Maya Postclassic Period