Part of what makes Mesoamerican archaeology so spectacular is its vast scope. Whether we are talking about architecture, climate, or geology — this amazing region runs the gamut.
These extremes are especially evident the further one gets from the regions one often thinks of as the cultural cores of Mesoamerica — for example, the Maya world and the Valley of Central México.
While Mesoamerica’s exact landmass is a point of contention, especially regarding its borderlands, the consensus is that it runs south of the Mexican city of Durango down to the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica.
If we take this definition seriously, the archaeological site of La Ferrería, just a few miles south of the city of Durango, would be Mesoamerica’s northernmost archaeological site.
This does not mean no interesting archaeological sites are north of La Ferrería. It’s just that these sites are considered in a region called Aridoamerica.
As one would expect, with la Ferrería serving as a defacto border between Mesoamerica and Arridoamerica, the site presents a mix of features representative of both regions.
Given a lack of surviving texts, the history of La Ferrería is especially difficult to decipher, though its first inhabitants are believed to have been Nahua-speaking peoples who settled in the region roughly 2,000 years ago.
Some have associated La Ferrería with Aztlán, the mythical ancestral homeland of the Aztecs, though no archaeological evidence supports this claim.
The city reached its zenith during the Postclassic period under the rule of a people known as the Chalchihuites, but evidence of several other cultures, including the Zacatecanos and Paquimé, has also been uncovered.
When arriving at La Ferrería, the first feature likely to catch the eye is a sunken patio with descending steps on three sides.
Directly in front of the sunken patio is an adobe structure with two entranceways on either side. Given its remarkable state, it has been restored several times and perhaps even rebuilt entirely.
Following the path up the hill where most of the structures at La Ferrería are, one notices the remains of several larger ruins that likely served as public plazas or elite residences.
The most prominent structure at La Ferrería is a pyramidal structure known as Casa de Sacerdotes — or the House of Priests.
Atop the House of Priests is another sunken patio that likely served ceremonial purposes, as considerable amounts of burnt organic material have been found in stone and ceramic vessels.
Adjacent to that is a ceremonial ballcourt with a configuration similar to those found further south. The presence of a ceremonial ballcourt at La Ferrería is interesting but not all that surprising, given that such structures can be found as far north as New Mexico and as far south as Central America.
One of the site’s most interesting features is a temple to the wind deity Ehécatl, whose cult was particularly common in central Mexico.
Surrounding the main archaeological site, it is also possible to observe ancient artworks left behind by nomadic peoples that likely predate the foundation of La Ferrería.
If you go
La Ferrería is just five miles south of the city of Durango, near Hacienda de la Ferrería, which was once an important center for smelting iron ore.
Because the archaeological site of La Ferrería is so close to Durango, it’s easy to take a taxi or ride-sharing service.
Given La Ferrería’s altitude of nearly 7,000 feet and steep incline, it’s wise to take it slowly, especially if feeling lightheaded.
