Barajas (archaeological site)

Barajas is an archaeological site located in the municipality of Pénjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico, which includes a large complex of approximately 15 archeological sites in good preservation state, built on a small volcanic massif in the Bajío,

The area north of the Lerma River, is presumed to have been originally occupied by hunter-gatherer nomadic groups, Barajas construction was probably made by late occupants. Characteristics indicate that these constructions were sedentary establishments. Lifestyles and social characteristics follow the Mesoamerican model. It is estimated that the site was abandoned around year 1000 CE.

During the first millennium CE, Mesoamerica had its greatest boom. Sedentary groups inhabited the arid plains of Northern Mexico. Around the year 1000 CE, for unknown reasons sedentary groups left the region, so returned to the nomad cultures of the desert territory. This impacted the Mesoamerican environment: it is known (oral and pictorial tradition of the Postclassic) that there were frequent migrations from the North for 500 years before the Spanish invasion. As well as the claimed northern roots of the Toltec, Aztec and Purépecha. Barajas may have been an intermediate point of these migrations.

Northern Mexico has been studied by Pedro Armillas (1964, 1969), Braniff (1989, 1994). More recent archaeological has been made by France, with research periods in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Recent research shows that the area was occupied during the Epiclassical period (650–950 CE). Epoch during which the inhabitants were sedentary groups (farmers) and became an important population of the Bajío. It is estimated that sedentary groups began the occupation of the area from the Mid-Classical Mesoamerican period (450–650 CE) and sites were abandoned in the late 10th century, in a generalized manner, a phenomenon consistent with the fall of northern Mesoamerica. Some traces indicate that sites were visited sporadically by the late Postclassical hunters of Purépecha artifacts.

During the area apogee, hundreds of structures of various types and sizes were built, used andesite slabs for construction. Widely available in the area, was used for the construction of their religious and housing structures.

The similarity of structures on neighboring hills was observed. This architectural feature indicates that sites in the area were part of a similar complex.

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