8. Cañada del Virgen.  Nov 28, 2015. Great outing, about an hour’s drive outside the town, with one of the archaeologists who was on the original dig as guide.  The furthest north of any Mesoamerican site - they even had to bend the northern boundary to include it.  Discovered a man buried in 450 AD whose body was determined to be another thousand years older.  Also, a young girl in full warrior regalia.  Founded in 540 AD, it is an Otomi archaeological site in Mexico, located in the state of Guanajuato, about 15 miles from San Miguel de Allende.  It is situated on private property, but I was able to visit it with a group of American residents of SMdA, on a tour led by one of the archaeologists. 

The site faces the celestial north, where the stars spin around in a circle throughout the year. The moon moves up the stairs of the pyramid as its cycle advances. It rises and falls perfectly in pyramid notches at key times in the lunar calendar and during solstice periods.  The site was dedicated to the Moon, the Sun and Venus.