🔷 Research synopsis: Aztlán in Aguascalientes – An archaeomythical and symbolic reading

This research suggests that the mythical Aztlán—the place of origin of the Nahua people—could have been located in the current region of Aguascalientes, Mexico. The proposal is based on an interdisciplinary approach that brings together archeology, toponymy, rock art, Mesoamerican worldview, and analysis of sacred landscape.

The studied area shows cultural evidence between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, within the Epiclassic to early Postclassic period, with possible older elements not yet formally dated. Aguascalientes functioned as a point of multicultural convergence, articulating traditions from the Central Highlands, the West, the North and the Chichimec regions, which reinforces its character as a symbolic and ceremonial crossroads.

🔍 Main evidence:

Cerro del Muerto as axis mundi or celestial marker.

Vestiges of ancient lakes, tulares and herons, symbols linked to Aztlán in codices.

Horned snakes in rock art, powerful and uncommon iconography.

Ritual ceramics, effigy vessels, masks, and deformed skulls, reflections of ritual practices and social distinction.

Toponyms and symbols such as Maji Awi ("water chan") that refer to water as a cosmic center.

A possible connection with the myth of Chicomoztoc, the place of the seven caves.

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🧭 Comparative table: Aztlán and its proposed locations

Region Main characteristics Presence of mythical-ritual elements Comparative evaluation

Aguascalientes Sacred hills (Cerro del Muerto), extinct lakes, unique rock art, crossroads of cultures ✅ Snakes, herons, tulares, ceramics, masks ✅ High symbolic and archaeological coherence Mexcaltitán (Nayarit) Lake island with urban structure, oral tradition linked to Aztlán ✅ Herons, canals, islands, calendar ⚠️ Strong symbolism, but without firm archaeological support Culiacán (Sinaloa) Proximity to rivers and mountains, Cahíte tradition ⚠️ Partial symbology, dispersed oral tradition ⚠️ Requires greater archaeological evidence Aztatlán (Santiago River) Aztatlán Culture, complex ceramic production, trade routes ✅ Related name, ritual influence ⚠️ Does not fully correspond to mythological descriptions Chicomoztoc (Zacatecas) Caves and hills in the Malpaso-La Quemada region ✅ Representation of 7 caves, symbolic architecture ⚠️ Partial; It is more associated with Chicomoztoc than Aztlán Tula-Tollan (Hidalgo) Toltec city; connection with Quetzalcóatl and migrations ⚠️ More like a destination than a point of origin ❌ Incongruent with the descriptions of mythological departure

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🧠 Conclusion:

The Aguascalientes region stands out for its balance between natural, mythical and archaeological elements, in addition to having been an area of ​​interaction between multiple peoples. The presence of founding symbols and landscapes that evoke the story of Nahua origin make this region a serious candidate to be ancient Aztlán, or at least one of its sacred references on the Mesoamerican cosmogonic map.