This site is located on the southern side of the
Quebrada El Silencio close to the town of Carrizal Grande. This portion
of the Quebrada El Silencio is filled with alluvial
jadeite of many
colors, including translucent material of strongly blue hue. The site is
a poorly preserved plaza group with several platforms, with several
structures on the northern side largely destroyed by erosion into the quebrada. On the site, surface ceramics, jade debitage, and
partially worked
jade celts are encountered. Recent ground perturbation
by rodents in the eastern portion of the site suggests that some of the
cultural deposits, including jade debitage, may be fairly deep and
substantial. Along with jade, a considerable number of
obsidian
artifacts occur on the surface. Although most of the ceramics appear to
be Late Classic in date, one shred appears to be early, and may well
date to near the beginning of the Middle Formative period. With its
broad rim marked by a U-shaped incision, dating to roughly 900
B.C. Slightly upstream from Sitio Carrizal Grande there is a lithic
reduction area with considerable jade debitage and partially worked
celts. Along with
Cerro
Chucunhueso and
El Aguilicho, this site was one
of many artisan sites in the area
Regional Map
Actual site view
Bluish Jadeite, near the site
