Near Arroyo Seco in Victoria, Guanajuato, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)
The Guardians of the Valley
Para los primeros habitantes del valle, el entorno natural era un ente vivo que participaba plenamente en la vida social. Se dice que los nómadas veneraban montes, lanzaban exclamaciones al cielo mirando las estrellas, ejecutaban danzas al caer la noche y ofrecían al sol la sangre de la primera caza.
Ese vínculo animado del territorio persiste en la memoria colectiva en narraciones locales donde ciertos lugares del paisaje son custodiados por singulares formaciones rocosas llamadas Guardianes. Espacios como La Casa Vieja, cueva artificial tallada en la roca durante la época prehispánica, fue escenario de eventos extraordinarios y de acuerdo a la tradición local, se cree que es la entrada a otra realidad temporal.
The Guardians of the Valley
For the first inhabitants of the valley, the natural environment was a living entity that participated fully in social life. It is said that the nomads worshiped mountains, cried out to the sky looking at the stars, performed dances at nightfall and offered the blood of the first hunt to the sun.
That animated link of the territory persists in the collective memory in local narratives where certain places in the landscape are guarded by unique rock formations called Guardians. Spaces such as La Casa Vieja (The Old House), an artificial cave carved into the rock during pre-hispanic times, was the scene of extraordinary events and, according to local tradition, it is believed to be the entrance to another temporary reality.
Erected by Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Man-Made Features • Native Americans.
Location. 21° 11.466′ N, 100° 12.159′ W. Marker is near Arroyo Seco, Guanajuato, in Victoria. Marker can be reached from Calle Nueva a Victoria just north of Calle Principal de Arroyo Seco, on the right when traveling north. The marker is along the walking tour at the Arroyo Seco Archaeological Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arroyo Seco GTO 37920, Mexico. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Memory of the Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Rock Art in the 16th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); A Long-Term Painted History (within shouting distance of this marker); The Social Function of Rock Art (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Imagination of Rock Art (about 240 meters away); The Arroyo Seco Archaeological Site (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); A Fragile Testimony (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The human figure (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arroyo Seco.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 53 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.