The Petroglyphs

After leaving Las Barras de Piaxtla, we stopped at Playa las Labradas. The beach, part of the protected area known as Meseta de Cacaxtla, is filled with large black volcanic rocks, many of which are covered with thousand year old petroglyphs.




To reach Las Labradas, we turned off the quota (highway) and drove down yet another dirt road through the village of Chilicoyote. The instructions were to drive under the railroad, and then follow the road to the beach.



There is a museum on site, a small thatched-roof building built in the traditional style of the area. We noticed buildings in the village built in this manner and Gail has used this technique for one of the Casitas at La Rosa de Las Barras. There is also a caretaker who has one of the most adorable guard 'puppies' we have ever seen!







The state of Sinaloa has approximately 40 sites with similar examples of prehispanic art, created by natives of many different cultures. Hopefully we'll have a chance to visit another in the future as we found the petroglyphs fascinating.

These petroglyphs, carved by the Toltec Indians, were made with stone chisels and hammers and are thought to have ceremonial and religious significance. There are approximately 300 volcanic rock petroglyphs on the Playa las Labradas beach, and some of them are in excellent condition, considering that they are thought to be between 1,000 and 2,000 years old. Many of them have been weathered due to the salt water and from the hundreds and hundred of feet that have trod on them. By the way, this is one of those excursions where 'sensible' shoes are very important! I did notice however that some of the carvings even though quite worn still photographed well.










I really have to stop taking so many pictures, but this one I couldn't resist!